A/N:

Stares intently at ross heuchan You... seriously... need to abandon that plot. It's evil! Forcing an electric type on Rikku. I LIKE Rikku! Why should she have to suffer from her own fear like that?

Well, if you like the idea so much... feel free to write your own fanfic on the idea. Shudders But I'm staying away from that. Sry, but this fic doesn't have an electric type... and there's a reason behind it. And I'll say nothing more about it until that reason becomes clear.


Djose:

The next day, Balrog growled something at Suicune. With a blast of cold air (prolonged, it made everyone mutter), she told me what had happened. When the wind stopped, I burst out laughing.

By this time, they'd gotten used to that fact that I did that. "What'd Suicune tell you now?"

"Balrog burned about three different bands of thieves. Unfortunately… he kinda killed them. They refused to leave, and he's very protective. She told an amusing story about one band. They called him a demon."

"What's so funny about that?"

"That's his name. Balrog is a mythical demon. A dark and flaming one. So he took it as a compliment. I swear, to insult him, you'd have to compliment him!"

No one got the joke. I shrugged, and explained "Inside joke, kind of. You'd have to know him as a Houndour to understand."

That comment cost me an explanation about pokemon, and evolution. It took a while, but Wakka was finally up when I was done. I guess I gave them an information overload, but I've talked to a lot of breeders about that. It's something that's odd about the pokemon world. After all, pokemon apparently DON'T grow for a while, then they evolve, and do a massive amount of growing in the matter of seconds.

We moved on, but I didn't bother to return my pokemon. People weren't here, so I wanted to let them stretch themselves, outside of a pokeball.

Fiends that were fond of lighting were appearing more and more often. Lulu was starting to cast water spell after water spell – and that was part of my reasoning to leave them out…

Me? Well, I just mostly tried to dodge the lightning, and my pokemon just stayed out of it. I guess they saw the grin on my face when I was doing that, so they didn't interfere. Eventually, I got fed up of that (I was tiring, and getting hit more often), so I glanced at Erastrani. "Everyone, near Psymachine. Erastrani's going to clear up our problems with fiends."

Auron gave me a doubtful look, but went close to him all the same. Psymachine gave me a tired look. I returned everyone besides the two of them, and went next to Psymachine myself. He glowed faintly, and a Protect appeared around him. "Erastrani! Earthquake!"

She nodded, and then stomped the ground once. There was a soft rumble, as the entire road ahead of us shook with the earthquake's effects. Then it exploded. Pyreflies began to float upwards.

I smirked, and released my other four pokemon again. I needed Mindstrike to help Psymachine patch up the damage we'd done, anyway. The road was in crappy shape after that (to say the least), but at least the fiends were all dead.

&&&&&

I managed to pick up enough Gil (money) to last me awhile. Psymachine and Mindstrike worked together to patch up the road. Mostly, it looked like an Earthquake attack had never been used.

&&&&&&

Tidus was talking with Kimahri, trailing everyone else. I was kind of wondering what was going on. So far, I've rarely heard him speak. Once, maybe? After that, Tidus asked why we were going to all the temples. I kind of wondered myself.

Yuna explained it – sort of. "I have to pray to the Fayth in every temple in order to earn the Final Aeon." She walked ahead of us again, and occasionally looked back at Erastrani. Sometimes, I guess they can't get used to my pokemon's different abilities. The earthquake was superpowered by the fact that Flygon are part ground type. Though it had taken QUITE a bit of training to teach her the attack, since Flygon don't naturally learn it…

Wakka finished up her explanation. "That's a summoner's training. She's gotta prepare mind and body, all just to get ready for the Final Summoning."

Tidus ran up to her. "Must be tough, Yuna."

She whispered something in his ear, and turned away.

I shook my head again. Was I like that when I was with Her? More or less, yes.

Damn. Now Psymachine's reading my thoughts again.

&&&&&

I looked at the rock. "That's a temple?" I couldn't believe it. I'd returned everyone (which they still hated, even if they understood), for a giant ROCK?

Yuna prayed for a moment, and the temple exploded. Well, sort of. The rocks floated, suspended by electricity.

We walked toward it, mostly quiet. I was the most quiet of them – well, I did make an ass of myself. That was, until Tidus asked about WHY the rocks were suspended.

"That means that another summoner is already in there." Lulu again. Is there anything she doesn't know?

Yuna's voice had a tone of wonder in it. "Another summoner?"

I made a face. "What if it's that bi… I mean… Dona?"

Yuna started to run towards the temple.

I could tell Auron was right behind me. "Stop calling her a bitch. She is risking her life, you know."

I shrugged. "So is everyone else on this world. But they don't lord it over someone. Look at Yuna, she's humble! If anyone, she would probably have the greatest reason in the world to be proud!"

I could tell his facade was cracking, so I just grinned, and jogged to catch up with everyone.

&&&&&

Turns out it wasn't her (Dona / bitch). It was a male summoner, a guardian, and what looked like his little brother. Weird. Besides the statues, I'd only seen FEMALE summoners. I'd started to think that only women could call on the Aeons now, for some strange reason. He stared at Yuna for a moment, then spoke. "As I thought! The daughter of Lord Braska. You have the look of your father."

Yuna's eyes widened. "My father? You knew him?"

The summoner shook his head. "No. I have never met the man." He bowed, and added "Ah, my apologies. I am Isaaru. I am a summoner, like you."

The small kid walked out from beside his brother. "I'm Pacce. Pleased to meet you."

The guardian spoke "And I'm Maroda. I'm guarding my big brother here."

Isaaru looked up at a statue, then turned to Yuna. "Since I was a child, I've always looked up to Lord Braska. I wished I would someday become a high summoner like he was. You must have some of your father's talent in you! I believe you might someday defeat Sin."

Yuna was nervous. "I...I'm not really... I've only just become a summoner."

I shook my head – Yuna needed to be a bit more confident. "Yuna, you're doing fine." She sent me a relieved smile, and turned back to Issaru. He looked at me… and for a moment, I think he was surprised. "You're her guardian?"

I shrugged. "Yea, one of them."

"Is it true that you can control fiends? I've heard rumors…"

I drew my sword, murder in my eyes and thoughts. Wakka and Tidus had to restrain me. Isarru was clearly alarmed. Yuna explained, while I was dragged away by the two of them. When they finally let me go, the two of them were back to their old line of conversation.

&&&&&&&&

"Of course, I've no intention of losing, either. So perhaps we should race to see who can defeat Sin first, no?"

Yuna smiled. "Very well, then. I accept your challenge."

Maroda walked to the door, and turned back. "Isaaru!"

Isaaru looked over at his brother, and his expression flickered for a moment. He said hastily, "I beg your leave! Good luck, to both of us!"

Yuna smiled again, and said, "Yes", just as he ran to meet his brother.

&&&&&

Tidus stopped to talk to the brother guardians. Me, I waited at the top of the staircase for him. When he started to run to catch up with us, I could tell something was bothering him. "What's wrong?"

"They said that summoners have been disappearing. Too many summoners."

I blinked. I could understand some disappearing – Aeons drew power from the summoner, and if the summoner was weak, so was the Aeon. Sort of like trainers in my world, just with magic. I nodded at Tidus - I was worried too. "You stay with her... keep her warm." I winked at him "I'll deal with the fiends."

Tidus blushed, and I grinned. "Mr. Celeb's embarrassed… oh noes! And you, being with girls all the time!"

He ignored me, and walked onward.

&&&&&

The puzzle this time was a bit more annoying. Mid-way through, I sighed. "And WHY is there a puzzle in these places?"

Wakka poked me. "You shouldn't even be talking. You're not even a guardian, you know. Shouldn't even be here…"

I snorted, and punched him lightly in the side. "I warned you about that. You're stuck with me. If you HADN'T chased me, I'd be ahead of you, clearing a path. Now? Meh, I'll let you have some of the fun."

"Your fun is going to get us killed, ya?"

I shrugged, and took on an apologetic tone. "Sorry. I guess that risking your life for a reason always has to be serious."

THAT, at least, earned a smile from Yuna. Though I'm not sure why.

&&&&&

While we waited for Yuna, I'll give you one guess who decided to show up. That bitch again, complete with doggie in tow. Musclehead, or Barthello. Whichever.

When they entered, they froze. Hell, I think they lost a few pounds in water-weight. You see, I'm still in the habit of leaving my pokemon loose if no one else is around. They had the luck of seeing Balrog first. Then Mindstrike. Both are kinda scary, to be honest. Mindstrike – well, he's emotionally damaged, I think. He has NO respect for whatever boundaries exist. He'll push himself to the extreme, and not care about what injuries he receives (luckily he can heal with Recover). So even though Medicham don't usually look scary… he's just got this aura that scares everyone, including me sometimes. Don't ask why, he just DOES. And Balrog is Balrog – he looks like he'd be happy to rip your soul from your body, and eat it. Houndoom resemble hellhounds of mythology, after all.

I grinned, and walked up next to the two of them. I hadn't been in the best of moods when we entered (Isaaru pissed me off really bad), so I wanted to have a bit of fun at her expense. I could tell Balrog was suppressing laughter from his shaking, though to anyone else, it was like he was fighting to go somewhere – namely, the people who had just barged in. I cocked an eyebrow at Dona, smiling evilly. "What, afraid of my pets? Aw, and Balrog was going to enjoy RIPPING YOUR SOUL OUT!"

They turned tail and ran. Literally. Balrog collapsed from laughter, and I wasn't much better off. Mostly, everyone else shook his or her heads. I have a macabre sense of humor, sometimes. Mindstrike was on the floor, having trouble supporting himself, weak from laughter. Emotionally damaged or not, he has a sick sense of humor too.

&&&&&

Yuna fell out the door later. Kimhari caught her before she hit the floor. Tidus rushed up to her, while everyone else gave them a moment. Even Kimhari. They didn't seem to notice.

I began to hum the same song I've always heard – my soulsong, if I remember what Suicune said correctly. The temple music was getting to me. After Yuna recovered, I returned my pokemon, and we left. Wakka was behind me this time. "You think you went a bit too far, ya?"

I nodded, though I wasn't really sorry about it. I'd needed to vent some pent-up emotion… "I guess so. Sorry about that."

Wakka continued (he must have heard the "I'm not sorry in my voice), "Next time, you warn us before you go and do something like that. You and him… you looked like you were READY to do that stuff you said. Can you do that, too?"

I shook my head, feeling much better than before. "Na. Balrog's a nice Houndoom. So long as he doesn't catch the scent of my blood, anyway." I flinched at the memory of the few times he HAD caught the scent of my blood. "Mindstrike… well… just leave him alone. He's… disturbed. I can deal with him, but I doubt anyone else COULD."

"You're really creepy sometimes, you know that?" That was Tidus, by the way.

I nodded, and said quietly, "Yea, I know. Blood on your hands… well, it tends to make people crazy." Damn, another slipup. At this rate, I'll confess to the rampage before we get to Zanarkand.

They seemed to be unsure of how to take that, and followed Auron's example. Which was, to remain silent.

&&&&&

Later, Dona went and talked to Yuna. I guess she got embarrassed again. Something about calling Auron riffraff. I wasn't there; I was outside (Yuna had asked me politely to leave when she heard Dona was coming).

That night, I never heard Yuna go to her room. I was nearby (Tidus, Lulu, and Wakka were the closest to her, but big surprise there. Boyfriend, brother, and sister – well… adopted brother and sister.)

Auron managed to convince everyone to actually talk to me at that point. He even found Yuna, and dragged her into it. I had to explain myself for a while before he was satisfied. Mostly, I had to explain the blood on your hands thing, and why I had to scare Dona witless.

You see, she reminded me of a Rocket. A very specific one, who had been assigned to get close to me. I was still getting over Her death, and on the warpath with the Rockets.

She DID manage to get close. Not girlfriend close, mind you. Not with THAT attitude (she was like Dona in that respect), but friend close.

She then betrayed me, and I got shot up again. Balrog went berserk when he smelled my blood, as did mostly everyone. Suicune and Sunseeker kept their heads, but everyone else wasn't themselves until every Rocket was dead. Hell, even Psymachine went a little crazy.

I have no clue what happened to the female Rocket that betrayed me. Frankly, I still have nightmares about that night.

I didn't explain it to them like that to them – I said that my fiancée had recently died, and she (the Rocket) tried to become my friend.

And then she betrayed me, trying to steal Suicune. I had to explain WHY legendary pokemon are so valuable – their power, and abilities. I did tell them about the betrayal part, and what happened. That made them flinch. But so did Balrog, and everyone else. I'd let them out for the night. I guess seeing my pokemon have the same reaction relaxed a few people (Yuna too. She seemed to not like Balrog.)

I think they understood by the end of it. But I know I'm going to be on a short leash. Especially when they haven't heard my whole story, and don't know what else will set me off.

They left. Wakka was first, then slowly everyone except Tidus, Yuna, and Auron trickled out. It was quiet for a while, and then Yuna finally looked at me. "You didn't say everything… did you?"

I shook my head. "Hardly anything. If my whole set of nasty experiences is a book, that maybe rated a chapter. And what you saw in Besaid started it all…"

Tidus and Yuna shuddered, but I thought Auron seemed to understand. "You know we'll have to keep a close eye on you. We don't want that happening again. No matter who it is, unless you want to unload on another Sinspawn." He must have heard about what happened on the staircase.

I nodded. "Feel free. I'll try to control myself, but a lot of my self-control is shattered."

Auron walked out. Yuna made to follow him, but paused in the doorway. "Uh… Icewind?"

I gave her a soft look. "Yes?" She looked away, then softly said "I'd… like it if… you became my guardian."

I kept my face under control, to prevent from sighing. "Yuna… you know I've got my share of problems. But… I'll watch over you… forever if I have to." She smiled, and walked out.

Tidus paused in the doorway (well, I guess they're starting to take on each other's habits now), and turned back. "Why'd you say that forever part?"

I smiled bitterly. "Kid, I have my reasons."

I must have pissed Tidus off with that line. "Stop calling me kid! You're not even much older than me!"

I snorted. "Experience-wise, I am. I'm probably as old as Auron."

Tidus thought it over, then shrugged. "Just don't call me that."

"You got it. Just keep our agreement."

"Wha?"

"Watch Yuna. And for goodness sake, when will the two of you admit that you have feelings for each other?"

He walked out. I must admit, I was kind of cranky when I said that. Have you ever seen two people in love, and everyone knows it, but they just won't admit it? It can be quite irritating. Especially… well, for me, it was… painful, to watch them. I have similar memories… and I'm trying to suppress and forget them.

&&&&&

It took Yuna a while to wake up. I guess she'd been healing people all night. Some people really push themselves too hard, you know?

When she walked out, Wakka was ready. "Yo! Sleepyhead!"

"Sorry! I'm so sorry!" She turned to Auron, "Please forgive me."

I swear, Lulu was smiling. "Really, there's no rush... here, your hair." Yuna looked confusedly at the comb Lulu had handed her. I didn't get it – I have bed-head all the time, and no one cares. But maybe it's because I already look crazy, or something.

Wakka said "A summoner with bed hair! What's the world comin' to?"

Yuna pouted. "You could have woken me up!"

"We called to you, but with all that snoring..." I swear, the world's ending. Lulu's cracking jokes on someone besides Wakka!

"Hmm...what is it today? Everyone's picking on me!" Everyone laughed at Yuna, Auron and myself included. That was a first – it had been a long time since I laughed. An actual laugh, instead of a menacing one.

"You too, Sir Auron?"

"Once Lady Yuna fixes her hair, we leave." I take it back. NOW the world's ending. He's cracking jokes! Auron's cracking JOKES! Yuna pouted again, and everyone laughed. Well, except me. I'd had my laugh for the day.

As we walked away from the temple, I pulled an amulet from my pocket, and tossed it to Yuna.

She peered at it, then looked at me. "What's this?"

I shrugged. "It's… something that will help restore your energy. I designed it for helping my pokemon, but it'll work on you too. Since you spend all night up healing…"

She smiled, and put it on. I could tell it was working, it began to glow softly.

&&&&&

As we crossed the bridge, the Chocobo knights were there again. Lucil was looking at Yuna in worry. "Off so early? Lady Yuna, you must be exhausted after working so hard last night. Will you be okay?"

I smiled faintly. "Don't worry about her. She'll recover faster than you think."

Yuna nodded, fingering the pendant I'd given her. "Thank you for this, Icewind. It does help. Lucil, will you be leaving too?

"Yes, first we cross the Moonflow, and then we head north in search of chocobos to replace those we have lost."

Elma was optimistic about that. "Once we find chocobos, our Mounted Forces will ride again!"

I sighed. "And good luck with it. If I find any, I'll deliver them to you. Where do you want 'em?"

Elma looked at me in surprise. I snorted, shaking my head. "I'm the one with pokemon, remember? I can catch a chocobo easily."

"What's a poke…mon?"

I rolled my eyes. "You heard of the blue haired guy traveling with Yuna? The one that fights with fiends, and did some weird concert thing in Besaid? That's me, and those 'fiends', as you mistakenly call them, are pokemon. Call 'em Aeons if you want, same same. They came here with me from VERY far away. Now… where do you want them?"

Lucil thought it over, then nodded. "There is a monster tamer in the Calm Lands. He has worked for the Crusaders for a long time, he will handle any chocobos you can capture."

Auron nodded. "I know where he is."

Elma smirked at me. "If you can catch a chocobo."

I rolled my eyes, and released Erastrani behind my back. She yawned from behind me. Elma gasped. I looked towards her, and smiled. "She's faster than a chocobo, and can fly. Her talons are sufficient for carrying something light like a chocobo… I'm not worried."

Lucil saluted me… or Yuna, I'm not sure who. "Thank you. We must be going."

They left. A third knight had been running towards them when they walked past him, headed in the direction he had just been running from. He hung his head, and turned around, giving chase.

As soon as they were out of earshot, Wakka asked me, "Why'd you offer to help them? They worked with the Al Bhed!"

I rolled my eyes. "Drop it, Wakka. They also protect innocent people. Or are you saying that's BAD, now? Sometimes, the ends DO justify the means!" I stormed off before he had a chance to respond.

&&&&&

It was some Ronso, who next stopped us. Well, me, Tidus, and Kimahri. "Look! Two of Kimahri's friends. Look just like him."

Tidus shouted "What?"

"Both follow summoners on all fours! Hornless goatlings!"

"Hornless! Hornless!" They both cracked up. I didn't see the humor. Actually, I saw the humor in running them through with my sword. Don't look at me like that, I DIDN'T run them through. I just wanted to.

Kimahri didn't like it either. "You come to insult Kimahri?"

"Wrong. We come to warn little Kimahri." I couldn't tell them apart, and frankly, I don't care. They could be number one and two, I'd still confuse them. The only reason I knew Kimahri from the rest was because of his broken horn.

"Summoners disappear. Never return." "Next will be Kimahri's summoner."

I muttered under my breath "Wanna bet?"

"Poor Kimahri! Lost his horn, next lose his summoner!" "Pitiful Kimahri! Howl alone! Howl alone!"

They ran off. It was a good thing Tidus warned me not to crisp them, or there'd be two less Ronso in this world. Tidus talked to Kimahri , saying gently, "Do those two got something against you?"

Kimahri shook his head.

Tidus sounded confused, as he asked, "What, they were just picking on you?"

Kimahri growled "Kimahri will deal with them."

"And I'll help!"

I sighed. "Tidus…"

Kimahri shook his head. " Kimahri alone."

"But..."

Wakka cut him off "It's Kimahri's problem. We can't interfere; it's a rule."

Lulu was quiet. "I'm worried."

Wakka didn't understand what she meant, though I'd figured that much out. "Let the Ronso deal with Ronso problems, ya? That's how it's always been."

Lulu sighed. "I mean I'm worried about those summoners disappearing."

Auron nodded. "They aren't just disappearing into thin air."

I snorted. "If we just do our jobs, that won't be a problem. And if Wakka screws it up again, I'll bail you out."

Wakka stepped back "Whoa!" I think I've just taken another bite out of his ego. Good, I don't like the guy, anyway.

Lulu smiled, shaking her head slightly. "Confident."

I grimly smiled, and said, "You got it. I didn't get the title pokemon expert for nothing. I coulda become a master if I'd just bothered." I smiled faintly (this time, without the grimness), and walked ahead.

&&&&&

I caught sight of Belgemine again, and stopped. She cast me a worried look before everyone else caught up, but the moment they came into sight, the look disappeared.

"Lady Yuna, it is a pleasure to see you again. Might we have another contest of Aeons?"

Yuna nodded, and they started again. This time, Belgemine called out Ixion (the thing reminded me of a Rapidash, except for the lightning instead of fire, and the horn is slightly different).

Yuna responded with Infrit. Ixion was faster, but Infrit hit harder.

&&&&&

Both exhausted Aeons glared at each other. The summoners called out at the same time "Thor's Hammer!" "Hellfire!"

The two overdrives collided, causing a massive explosion that threw both back. Infrit managed to stagger back to its feet… but Ixion had collapsed, and didn't get up. Like last time, Belgemine dismissed her Aeon, and spoke to Yuna. She finally looked over at me, apparently asking Yuna a question.

Yuna acted surprised, and said (loud enough that I could hear it) "he's Icewind. He's… not from around here. But he's never hurt anyone but fiends."

Belgemine seemed to be reassured, gave Yuna something, and walked away.

I said softly "I wonder..." The way she kept on looking at me (Belgemine) made me wonder if she knew about my FULL past. But I wasn't going to ask Yuna what they were talking about, I didn't want to know.