A/N:
NNNNN: Well, thanks.
ross heuchan: For the first review (submitter earlier), the anti-magic thing? Vib's out of the fight, though, because of the temperature. Double weakness to cold means in ANY cold situation, a Flygon / Vibrava is out of the picture in terms of fighting. As for the second, read the first paragraph. But it said in the previous chapter that the pokedex flashed a warning after Vib's ball materialized.
OCAdam: Yes, Icewind will share more of his past. Including his REAL name, eventually. However, he's not revealing some of his innermost demons, he'll never talk about them... mostly, they're healed. Secondly, thanks for that, I needed it (the good story thing). More chapters to come, I promise. Each chapter will have at worst four days before I post a new one. There are a few chapters that I'm still working on, so I can't just upload the whole story, either. As much as I want to, I can't, gotta double-check all the chapters before I post them.
Macalania:
"Warning, energy supply drained. No cross-dimensional transport will be available until this unit has been recharged. See 'manual' for instructions on how to recharge this unit." I sighed softly, and flicked the 'dex closed. The warning hadn't been unexpected, the pokedex had been designed for maybe two emergency transfers, and I'd been surprised that mine managed that many. I looked at the forest that I've been to once before, and shook my head slightly.
&&&&&
Inside Macalania forest, Auron stopped to talk with Tidus. Wakka was looking at me, then Rikku, and back again – it looked painful, like he was trying to think. Either he wondered why Rikku had a pokemon now, or if we were together.
I sighed, and looked at the crystal forest. I tapped my pokeballs, and everyone came out. They all looked around in joy at the surroundings. Even Mindstrike was impressed… sort of. He tried to bash them in, so I had to return him.
Rikku whispered to me "What's up with Wakka?"
I sighed. "He's either wondering where you got Vib from, or whether or not we're a couple now."
She looked at Wakka, and a mischievous smile crept up on her face. "Want to?"
I smiled softly in return, and my eyes flashed towards Wakka. "Want to what?"
"Uh…." She trailed off.
Wakka looked confused. "What are you two lovebirds talking about, ya?"
Lulu shook her head, her hand on her face. "Wakka…"
Rikku went up and punched him. HARD. I burst out laughing at the expression on his face. I nearly collapsed from laughter, and Rikku had a big smile on her face, after a few moments of pure rage. I guess she's wanted to do that for a while.
Auron and Tidus returned to the group, and mostly it was quiet, besides the occasional fight with fiends. I guess Tidus saw Rikku punch Wakka, he kept asking her what Wakka said.
&&&&&
Meathead (Barthello) showed up after a while, taking about how he had misplaced the bitch… uh… I mean, Dona. I really didn't listen, I was chatting with Suicune at the time. She said this place was frozen by some power that was close to hers – well, elementally. Water, ice, same thing.
&&&&&
At a small thicket, Auron stopped. "Wait. It is here...somewhere."
Tidus peered at the thicket. "What's here?"
"Something you should see."
Yuna looked pained. "But, Sir Auron..."
"It won't take long."
He used his sword to slice through the thicket, and revealed a clearing. I whistled softly.
&&&&&
Tidus looked around. "This place... It's just water, isn't it?"
Auron just said "This is what spheres are made of. It absorbs and preserves people's memories."
A sphere of water rose from the pool. Wakka looked at it in alarm. "What's that?"
Auron deadpanned "Fiends are also attracted to these places."
I swore softly. "Forget this, time to freeze! Suicune!"
She used Ice Beam to freeze the glob of water. It froze in the air, then glowed. When she fired again, nothing happened. "Damn!"
Lulu stepped forward, and hurled multiple Fira spells at it. It looked like it was taking a fair share of damage.
Tidus charged in with his sword, but when he sliced it, nothing really happened. I sighed softly, as the sphere glowed again. "This is going to take a while."
&&&&&
It did take a while. Longer than that, actually, it took a LONG time. Tidus backed off, and concentrated on protecting Lulu as she cast spell after spell at the sphere. Suicune and the rest of my pokemon pitched in when they had a type attack that would help. So basically, it was Suicune and Erastrani (she had Fire Blast), along with Balrog helping Lulu out.
The thing finally exploded, and sunk into the pool of water.
A sphere (not of water, of something else) was floating in the remains, so I fished it out, and pitched it to Auron. "This what you were talking about?"
Auron nodded, and gave it to Tidus. He played it. It was a sphere of his father's. I watched, but I didn't say anything.
&&&&&
Once the sphere was done playing, Tidus went to talk to Auron for a moment. Wakka was behind me, trying to sneak up on me. Suicune warned me about him before he even came close, so I didn't even turn around. "Hey Wakka. What do you want?"
"Gyah! How do you do that?"
I smirked, and looked at the tree in the water. "Because I've gone through hell, and you haven't, you big softie."
"Hey, uh… do you know why Rikku went and punched me?"
I snorted softly. "You called us lovebirds. And ruined a perfectly good moment."
"Eh… uh…" Wakka fell silent. I guess the hypocrisy in that statement confused him. We really weren't together, but the way I said it, it made it sound like we were getting close… well, I think we were. Mostly, I don't know if it would work out between Rikku and myself. I've done horrible things, and she acts like a child.
I smiled, and turned around. "Stop trying to think. It's not you." Before he could respond, I walked towards the tree, and took a seat. Suicune stood next to me, radiating contentment.
I reached into the water, letting it trickle through my hands. "Absorbs people's memories, huh?"
Another sphere appeared. In it flickered images familiar to me. I could see pyreflies dancing around it slowly.
I sighed softly, and pocketed it. I wanted to leave it there, but I didn't want to risk Tidus or someone wandering across it. It was my memories of my war with the Rockets. So a lot of the images were bloody.
Eventually, we left. But not for a while – so much for what Auron said.
&&&&&
"Oh, that Wakka! Why did he have to do that!"
I shrugged, grinning slightly. "Because he's Wakka the idiot."
She smiled "And what's your answer?"
My smile faded. "To what?" I cut her off before she could say anything with a look of pure exhaustion.
She sighed, kicking a stray rock. "Can I ask later?"
I nodded. "When we're closer to the end… when I've had time to think."
She smiled happily, and ran off.
&&&&&
We walked out of the forest, towards a freezing lake. I shrugged, feeling the wind blow cold. Mostly, everyone else shivered. Rikku the worst, I don't know why she was dressed like that. If you have to be prepared for all weather, why wear shorts? Not like I can talk, with my t-shirt and zip-off cargo pants, but since I'm immune to most chill, it doesn't bug me.
I went digging in my backpack, and came up with a tattered (but really warm) sweatshirt, and a pair of sweatpants (hey, they're both clean). Wordlessly, I handed it to Rikku. She gave me a weak grin, and slipped them on.
&&&&&
When I caught up with Tidus, he was talking to one of the chocobo knights. "Hi there. Would you look at this? They always leave me behind."
The chocobo made a cheeping noise, and he turned to it. "Oh. You want me to scratch you?" He immediately started scratching away. "There. Good boy!"
Tidus looked impressed, though the cold might have me confusing 'please, let me get to a fire soon', with 'whoa'. "How'd you know what it wanted?"
He shrugged, apparently not bothered by the cold in that suit of armor. "I've always been able to tell how chocobos feel. Maybe I'd make a better chocobo breeder than Chocobo Knight, huh? Hey, what job do you see me doing?"
I cut Tidus off before he could say anything. "Don't ask him. Ask yourself. Does a knight honestly need to understand a chocobo to such a great degree?" I shook my head slightly. "A breeder… to be honest, there are people in my world that dedicated their life to breeding. It's not a shameful profession, they get a lot of respect."
His eyes widened. "Wow! You're that famous one… the one with Aeons from another world! You think that?"
I smiled softly. I liked that description of my pokemon "Why are you asking me?"
"Oh…" He nodded to himself. "Then a breeder it is!"
He ran off with the biggest smile that I've seen in a while. He saluted us as he ran. When I turned, I saw Yuna smiling softly. I gave her a grin, and eyed the travel agency. "I might be immune to cold, but not everyone here is." I glanced significantly at Wakka, who was shivering, and Tidus, who was shaking with chill. "So we'd best warm up for a little."
Yuna nodded. I guess she was feeling the chill herself. I didn't mind it, but I didn't want everyone catching a cold because they were proud.
&&&&&
Inside, Auron was arguing with everyone else. I guess they've lost the fear/respect for him, they wanted to rest.
"We're going."
I shook my head. "No frigging way. Look around, Auron. Just because you're d… you've done this before, doesn't mean that everyone else can! It's COLD out there. Let them get some sleep!" I gave Auron a look that clearly said I didn't mind saying what I hadn't said if he didn't give it up.
He seemed unphased, but surrendered. I went to my room, wanting to catch a nap. Auron followed me, though. "How did you know that?"
I snorted softly. "Rikku isn't dead, but you are? Well, when you said you didn't belong there. And the fact that Seymour mentioned that you smell of the Farplane, yet you didn't go in… and that you disappeared for TEN years without a single soul in Spira knowing where you were… need I go on?"
His eyes narrowed, and I could tell his grip on his sword was much tighter. I sighed softly. "Don't try that. You think a big sword would do anything to Psymachine using Iron Defense? He'd shrug it off, then send you flying, dead or not."
His voice was cold. "Keep it quiet."
I shrugged. "Fine. Keep your demands sane. We'll get there."
He nodded, and stormed out. I shook my head, and let everyone except Mindstrike out. He'd done enough for one day.
I yawned, but shook my head. I wanted a word with Yuna before I went to sleep.
&&&&&
I knocked on her door, and slowly pushed it open. She seemed surprised to see me. "Icewind! What's wrong?"
I sighed, and closed the door behind me. "A lot of things. Yuna… just so you know, Tidus loves you."
She looked down, then back at me. I nodded again. She looked about ready to cry, and hung her head. "I'm sorry… but… Yuna, I know you love him too."
She gasped. "You… know?"
I nodded softly. "I'm experienced with this… I know how it looks, I've seen it before… heck, I've been there before, and you know where…" I grinned sadly, and continued "you two are kinda similar. Both of you really don't talk about it, even if it is obvious. Yuna… you need to make it clear… what are you going to do?"
She looked down. "I'm… I want…" she broke down, and started to cry. I sighed, and went up next to her. I softly said "I'm sorry… but please… think about it. Don't…" That don't was loaded with several things. Don't marry Seymour, don't hurt Tidus… don't hurt yourself by denying it, or insult me by saying it's not true. And of course, don't cry… I didn't want to hurt you.
I sighed, rested a hand on her shaking shoulders for a moment, and walked out. I'd done enough for one day.
&&&&&
The next morning, I was the first one up. I waited in the commons for everyone else to wake up. Suicune was next to me. I guess the word was out that pokemon were Aeons from my world (I'm not going to correct that, it's better than fiends), so she was mostly just stared at.
I guess this is slightly better. I'm no imprisoned soul inside a statue, but at least I get respect. I snorted, and nodded, keeping my eyes on my 'dex. I was mostly just reading up on legendary pokemon out of boredom – problem was, the pokedex was sometimes wrong (Suicune knew a bunch of the legendaries, after all). "Screw this. Suicune, want to go beat up on fiends?"
Sure. I could use some fun. We raced out (she could fit through the door this time), and started having a game of who could kill the most fiends.
&&&&&
Strike, duck, slash the legs, stab head, block, strike with an assassin's move, move on… that was more or less the tempo, except for the ones that resisted sword-strikes.
"Twenty!" She smugly responded Forty… "Cheater! Quit using Surf to wipe them out! These stupid blobs don't die easily to swords!" So? I growled in response, and shut up. She'd always 'cheated', and always would.
&&&&&
After a bit, we stopped. I wanted to rest before we moved on. When we re-entered the Agency, both of us were stared at.
I guess we made a dent in the fiend population with that bit. Maybe we went a bit too far. But I had burned off the extra energy. The clerk wordlessly presented me with a few potions, saying that I had rendered services to the agency.
I drank one down, gave another to Suicune, and stored the rest. Everyone else was up, but they gave me a few minutes to rest before we left. Yuna looked away when I tried to catch her gaze.
&&&&&
When we walked out, Tromell was waiting outside. "Lady Yuna, we've been expecting you. We were surprised you decided to come so soon. Pleasantly surprised, of course. Lord Seymour sends his apologies for having left without notice."
Yuna smiled softly – she was acting, I could tell. "It's quite all right. I have one question if I may, sir."
Tromell asked, "My lady?"
Yuna softly said "I want to keep journeying, even if I marry. Do you think that Maester Seymour would let me?"
Tromell formally bowed. "But of course, my lady. Lord Seymour wishes nothing else, I'm sure."
Yuna turned to the rest of us. "Goodbye."
I arched an eyebrow, and then gave her a sad nod. "If you're sure… but…"
Tromell stated, "We must follow Guado tradition. I'll have to ask you to wait here a little longer. I'll send someone to escort you."
Yuna looked nervously away from me. "I..."
Auron apparently wanted to reassure her. "We're all with you. Do as you will." I glared at him – he was making it far worse.
Yuna bowed to him. "Thank you."
Tidus and Auron talked softly to themselves, then Tidus cried "Yuna!" He whistled to her for a moment, and she called back "Yessir!" I guess that's significant to them, it meant nothing to me.
They walked off for a fair distance, then Rikku cursed when the buzz of machines cut off the blowing wind. "Oh, no!"
Wakka growled "Al Bhed!"
I swore, and gave Suicune a look. She nodded, and I jumped on – we raced off, catching up to Yuna quickly.
&&&&&
I glared at the machine, as I got off Suicune. We were between it and Yuna. "Why don't you just LEAVE US ALONE? Or do I have to use a Big Bang on you idiots?"
Auron turned to Tromell "Stand back." He must have caught up with us while I was yelling at the Al Bhed.
Tromell stepped backwards, while Yuna joined up with us. He cried out for her to step back, but I gave him a death glare. He gave up.
A voice called "Rikku! Tyh'd ehdanvana un oui kad dric!"
The machine let loose a floating thing, that began to glow.
"Oain bnaciuic magic and Aeons yna caymat!"
Rikku gasped. "Oh, no!"
I looked at her carefully. "Translation?"
"He's gonna use an anti-magic field on us!"
The voice cried "Ked dras!" The machine charged us. I growled softly, looking back at Tromell. I didn't dare us another pokemon, so Suicune was the only one. Vib was out too, I'd made sure Rikku knew that he COULD NOT handle cold, but could laugh off a lot of heat. We exchanged a grin, as the voice seemed to be confused by her continued presence. "Guess what, moron? She's no Aeon! Doom on you!" I smiled as she used Hydro Pump to knock away the floating / glowing thingy. It apparently short-circuited, because it stopped glowing.
Lulu had a malevolent smile on her face as she began to cast spells. Yuna called on that Aeon that reminded me of a Rapidash (except this was electrical), which hit it with a massive electrical attack.
The machine didn't know when to quit, it released another floating anti-magic thing. Yuna's Aeon faded, but I grinned at everyone. "Suicune and I'll handle those anti-magic things. Destroy the big machine!"
She used Ice Beam to freeze the anti-magic thingy, then raced up, and shattered it. I jumped onto the big machine for a moment, banged on the steel with my sword until it parted, and yanked a few wires that were close to the hatch. I got blasted back, nailed by electricity… but my job was done.
The anti-magic things stopped coming. It would be dead fairly soon - the voice knew it too, it began to scream in frustration.
&&&&&
Tromell came up to Yuna after the machine was beaten. "My lady!"
I glared at him again, and said in a stiff tone, "I see you were of no use in protecting her. How the hell are we supposed to be sure she's safe if she goes off alone?"
He paled noticeably – there was NO way it was just me, from his reaction. I turned, and saw Suicune giving him a Leer. I grinned at her, and she stopped.
Yuna shook her head, and continued on towards the temple. I sighed softly, and raced up to her. "Yuna… at least take him with." I slipped her the miniaturized pokeball containing Psymachine. She looked at it for a moment, then she nodded. "I'll try to keep your secret." She slipped it into one of her pockets.
I smiled sadly at her. "Yuna…" "I'm sorry." She walked onward, not knowing how much that had cost. Psymachine was my first pokemon… and to trust her with him was a big step for me. I ran back to the group, hearing Rikku shout something in another language. "E ys dra guardian of Yuna, oui caa? Yuna ec cyva! Fa femm kiynt ran! Cra ec cyva!"
"Oui tu drec ymuha, cecdan!"
Rikku looked depressed, as I jogged up. "I told him I was a guardian. Well, guess I had to, really."
Wakka suddenly looked suspicious. "How come you speak Al Bhed? Why?"
Rikku looked at the snow at her feet. "Because I'm Al Bhed. And that...was my brother."
Wakka glared at the rest of us. "You knew?"
I shrugged, nodding.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
Lulu sighed softly. "We knew you'd be upset."
Wakka nearly started yelling. "This is great. I can't believe I've been traveling with an Al Bhed! A heathen!"
Rikku looked extremely hurt. "You're wrong! We have nothing against Yevon!"
"But you Al Bhed use the forbidden machina! You know what that means? Sin was born because people used machina!"
I snorted. "You got proof of that? Show it."
Wakka glared at me, and I gave him a look at my social finger. "It's in Yevon's teachings! Not that you'd know!" His tone was close to mocking, and insulting at the same time.
Rikku started yelling back at him. "That's not good enough! Yevon says this. Yevon says that. Can't you think for yourself?"
Wakka's tone went to insultingly condescending. "Well, then you tell me! Where did Sin come from, huh?"
"I...I don't know!"
Wakka glared at her. "You bad-mouth Yevon and that's all you can come up…" I punched him. Hard. He stopped in shock. I cracked my knuckles, then glared at him. I said coldly. "Follow the teachings, and salvation is promised. Well guess what, the teachings could be made-up bullshit too. Sin isn't eternal; the fact that you can kill it is proof of that."
Wakka paused for a moment, then shot back, "Sin will be gone once we atone for our past mistakes!"
I snorted. "One thousand years, and you haven't atoned? How long will that take? Until Ragnarok?" Ragnarok – for those of you that don't know, is the end of the world.
Wakka didn't seem as confident now. "If… if we keep faith in Yevon's teachings, Sin will be gone some day!"
I opened my mouth, but then stopped. Rikku had her hand on my shoulder, and she shook her head clearly. "Don't bother." I could tell she was really upset, she was crying - even in the cold.
I gave her a small smile, and glared at Wakka. I walked up next to him, and said softly "Are you happy now, oh great believer? You've hurt Rikku, made her cry. Are you proud of yourself? That you made a nice girl cry for something she can't control?"
He looked ready to say something, but my knuckles cracked again. He didn't say anything, looking shocked.
I muttered to myself "Idiot…", and walked back over to Rikku, trying to cheer her up.
Auron was examining a motor sled. "Rikku! Will this move?"
Rikku began to play with the sled, after brushing away her tears (she shot me a grateful look, though). Wakka opened his mouth again, I was clearly out of range for a fist. "We're not using that, are we? Wait... Sir Auron isn't Al Bhed too, is he?"
Tidus sighed. "Come on, Wakka..."
Wakka said angrily, "What?"
Tidus shook his head, looking down (depressed). "I mean, getting angry just 'cause you found out Rikku's an Al Bhed... You guys got along fine till now, didn't you?"
"That's different, I mean..."
The motor of the sled cut him off, as it started up. Auron jumped on, and raced off – as did Kimahri, Lulu dragged Wakka onto the one, and they took off. Tidus looked at me and Rikku, but I waved him on. He nodded, and took off after the others in the last motor sled.
Rikku walked over to me, looking glum. "Thanks… for back there."
I smiled bitterly. "Wakka the idiot strikes again. You ready to go, or do you need a minute?"
She gave me a brave smile, then looked down. "I'm… ok…" She began to sob softly, not looking up from the ground. I shook my head, and wrapped my arms around her. She broke down, and began to cry. I had a sister, I know the signs of when someone needs to break down and cry.
&&&&&
After a few minutes, her cries fell silent. I felt a slight shove, so I let her go. She was giving me a strange look. "I never thought… you'd be so nice. I thought you… were a jerk…"
I sighed. "I told you about that. It was because I lost Ashley that I became that way. Normally, I'm a nice guy."
She sniffed softly, then looked up. "I'm feeling better… let's catch up."
I nodded, and glanced at Suicune. She looked at me closely, then nodded. I told Rikku how to get on, then she nodded.
I ended up going on first, then she climbed on. Luckily, both of us were light, so Suicune didn't really notice us. She shook herself for a moment (that wasn't fun, Rikku grabbed on tight), and raced off.
"Oh, I don't like this…"
&&&&&
It must have taken more time than I thought, because we arrived at the same time that Auron did. Rikku jumped off, and then I slowly followed, my joints occasionally cracking. Do I go back into the ball now? I shook my head. "Na. It's ice here, you'd kill me if I tried to put you back."
Damn straight. "Stop it, now you sound like… nevermind."
We walked towards the gate, but the guard stopped us. "Halt! The likes of her" he gave a significant look at Rikku, "are not welcome in this hallowed place."
I narrowed my eyes to mere slits, and walked up next to him. From what I could tell, Suicune was chuckling softly. "Let me explain it this way. She's a guardian. I'm the one with the Aeons from another world, I happen to care for her, I have a short fuse, and lack control when I'm pissed. Want to try that again?" I gave him a look that promised that I'd happily slaughter him if he continued to piss me off.
"Uh… you may pass."
I smiled coldly. "Good."
Suicune began to laugh.
&&&&&
Suicune looked around in curiosity as we walked in. You know… as much as I loved Ashley, most of the pain has passed. I nodded. "I know. But… are you ok with it?" She sighed. I… understand. I'm not opposed, actually. I know Ashley wouldn't like me trying to hold you back if she died. I smiled. "Yea, I can see her lecturing you now. The great Suicune, the incarnation of the North Wind cowering in fear of a human." I wouldn't go that far… well, maybe. She could be really scary. Strange thing... that didn't hurt. Not nearly as much as I expected, once I realized what I'd said.
Shelinda walked over to us from a side room. "Ah! There you are! Maester Seymour and Lady Yuna... I couldn't be happier...even if it was my own wedding. Now, victims of Sin will have something to be joyful about."
I sighed, looking at Tidus's depressed face. "Maybe. Or maybe not."
She looked worriedly at me. "Is something wrong?"
I shook my head tiredly. "Na. You know where Yuna went?"
She stopped to think. "I believe...she's gone to the Cloister of Trials with Maester Seymour."
I swore softly. At least she had Psymachine with her, he could contact me in an instant if things went wrong, even teleport me if the need was bad enough.
A voice from a side room cried "Lord Jyscal! A sphere, in Lady Yuna's belongings..."
We (Yuna guardian's) exchanged a look, and raced in. Well, minus Kimahri, he'd disappeared.
&&&&&
Auron held the sphere, gazing at it. "This may well answer a few questions." He activated it.
A voice came out of the sphere, and an image – like the one Tidus played. He looked like an elderly Guado. "What I am about to tell you is the unclouded truth. I swear it on my honor as a Guado. Listen to me very carefully, for I shall tell you the truth about my son, Seymour. His mind is closed, even to me, a maester of Yevon. But I can feel flames of darkness burning in his heart. He is using Yevon, the Guado, and even the summoners. If he is not stopped, he will surely bring destruction and chaos to Spira. I will leave this world soon, killed by my own son. But I do not fault him. Because I was not wise enough he has suffered, and become twisted. I could not protect him and his mother from the world and its cruelty. I will accept death as punishment for my deeds. But whoever is watching this...I implore you to stop Seymour! Stop my son."
The recording stopped.
I swore softly. "Oh, crap. And Yuna's with him."
Rikku looked worried. "Will Yuna be alright?"
Auron, who had become grim looking as the sphere played, shook his head. "Without us, no."
I smiled softly. "She has Psymachine with her. I know she's seen me use a pokeball before, so we have some time. But let's not waste it!" I ran off towards the cloister, everyone else trailing me.
&&&&&
I pointed forward, yelling behind me. "Kimahri's up ahead!"
Auron pitched in "We will protect Yuna from anyone. Even a maester."
Wakka was looking alarmed. "This can't be happening."
&&&&&
I skidded to a stop in the waiting room. Seymour was there. Tidus beat me to the punch, yelling "Seymour!"
Seymour acted cool and confident. "Please be silent. Lady Yuna prays to the Fayth."
I snorted. "Make us." Suicune growled her agreement. Yuna came out of the prayer room, stumbling. Tidus rushed up to her. "Yuna!"
Yuna looked in alarm at all of us. "But why...?"
Tidus explained to her. "We saw Jyscal's sphere."
I glared at Seymour. "Bastard, you killed him, didn't you?"
Seymour smiled. "What of it? Lady Yuna, certainly you knew of these things, did you not? Well then, why have you come here?"
Yuna's looked a bit sad as she said. "I came... I came to stop you!" She took out her staff.
Seymour looked at it, and smiled. "I see. You came to punish me, then."
Yuna backed up, rejoining everyone else. We screened her from his sight.
Seymour sighed. "What a pity. Ah, of course. "Protect the summoner even at the cost of one's life." The Code of the Guardian. How admirable. Well, if you're offering your lives, I will have to take them."
I smiled frostily. "Wanna bet, bastard? I'll take whatever you have left of a soul instead." And I'll be content to send you to whatever hell this world has. Suicune doesn't like power-hungry evil people, they remind her of the Rockets. Neither do I, for the matter.
Yuna shot me a look (she was DEFINATLY worried about how I'd said that), then turned to Seymour. "Maester Seymour. I trust my guardians with my life. But they are also my friends. I will not stand by and watch them be hurt. I will fight you, too!" Tidus cheered. "All right!"
Wakka looked at Seymour in alarm. "Maester Seymour!"
Seymour drew his staff. "So be it."
Tidus growled "I knew you were bad news the first time we met!"
Seymour smiled, ducking a blow from Wakka's blitzball, supercharged by Suicune's Hydro Pump. "Oh, my sincerest apologies."
Tidus's eyes narrowed in rage. "Seymour!"
Wakka still looked shocked, even as he threw another blitzball. "This can't be happening."
Yuna said determinedly "You may be a maester, but I will still fight!"
Seymour smiled, glancing at her. "Your eyes, they burn with resolve... Beautiful."
I growled, and charged forward – intending to hit him quickly, and just kill the bastard. My sword flashed, and bounced of a grid of rectangles. I rolled back, as a Fira spell hit where I had just been. "What the hell?"
"It's protect! It reduces sword strikes to nothing!"
I grinned softly, and backed up. "Well, if he wants to play it that way…" I pulled Mindstrike's pokeball out, and opened it behind me (it was habit now). He popped out, and muttered something. I grinned, and pointed to Seymour. "He's got a barrier. Want to play?"
Mindstrike responded by charging forward, and punching. The protect appeared, but it shattered, slicing Seymour. Seymour backed up (ignoring his wounds), thrown back by the Brick Break. "What?"
I smiled grimly. "Brick Break. It shatters ALL barriers, regardless of how much power you have. Sorry Seymour, this just ain't your day." Wakka's blitzball hit him on the head while I said that. Then Tidus sliced him – he'd blocked with his staff, but Tidus had still sliced his arms slightly. Not to mention the shards from the protect hit him.
Seymour backed away, staring in fascination at his arms. "Feel my pain! Come, Anima!" A chain dropped down, and drew out the chained and plantlike (to me, anyway) figure.
I glared at the Dark Aeon. I turned to Suicune, but Auron caught my eye, and shook his head. After a moment, I nodded, realizing what he meant. Tidus called to Yuna "Yuna! The new Aeon!"
She nodded, and said softly (I heard it) "O Fayth, lend me strength!"
She then began a small motion, then dropped down. Ice fell into the ground behind her, and then a spirit dropped down into them.
The form solidified, and then shattered the ice.
"Damn" I muttered to myself, "Does every female here risking their life dress like that?" Jeez, she was blue, and had NO top, and barely anything covering her lower self.
The Aeons faced off. While Seymour was distracted, Yuna took a moment to hand me back Psymachine's pokeball. I gave her a quick grin, and clipped it back on. Then I returned Mindstrike, before he did something stupid.
&&&&&
Shiva (the Aeon Yuna summoned) won the fight, and Seymour seemed pissed. "That power that defeated Anima... It will be mine!"
I snorted softly. "I doubt that." I charged forward, pissed off that he refused to die. He'd been annoying me since day one, and I wanted him dead. A blinding light came from somewhere….
&&&&&
"Wha?" I looked around, at an area of pure white. There wasn't anything else. Suicune growled softly, then stepped beside me. I don't like this. I really don't like this…
A dark purple light appeared before me, and the two of us exchanged a look. I had my sword in one hand, Psymachine's pokeball in the other. Suicune had her Hydro Pump ready as well.
The light solidified into a catlike form – six feet tall. "Mewtwo…"
He looked at us, then at the white area we were in. Strange… "Wait, you DIDN'T do this?"
He shook his head. No. I do not yet have the power to traverse to other universes, like you two apparently have.
Suicune and I exchanged a look. "Don't look at us." We didn't go to another universe, someone brought us…
A pillar of fire cut Suicune off. I took one look at it, and sighed. "Sacred fire. Ho-oh, where the hell are you?"
The phoenix flew downwards, and landed gracefully. It gave me a nasty look, and said something. Suicune hissed, and shook her head. They began to apparently argue – I couldn't follow it, it was pokemon speech.
Mewtwo looked at the two of them, then turned to me. His tone was slightly amused as he said, Is it just me, or is Suicune defying Ho-oh? Can you explain this? I've never encountered such a phenomenon. I smiled softly. "Oh, she's pissed, that's why. Ho-oh refused to bring back someone she cared for like a sister, and now… is Ho-oh trying to drag her back into the fold?" When Mewtwo nodded, I smirked. "That, too. She always disliked that. Since she's with me now, I guess… she'd rather stay where we were rather than go home."
Strange. Did you know that there are flickers of light entering your body? I looked down, and saw pyreflies entering me. "What the hell? I'm not dead!" Mewtwo looked ready to say something, but Suicune cut him off. I heard Suicune growl loudly, then shout I DON'T CARE! I'M NOT SHOWING YOU ANY MORE GRADITUDE! I'VE SERVED YOU ENOUGH ALREADY! YOU BROKE YOUR OATH WITH ME FIRST, SO I'M FREE TO GO! She then walked beside me, and her mouth filled with water. Carry out that threat, and I swear I'll go after you. I don't care if I die again doing it.
The pyreflies began to scream loudly, and Ho-oh stopped instantly. I looked at my arms, and my eyes widened. My skin was turning grayish. "What the hell…"
I felt something stretch out of my back, and I twisted my head around. Wings were sprouting from my back.
"What the fucking hell? Am I turning into Aerodactyl or something?"
A voice said softly (right next to me) "Don't worry." I turned quickly. A bunch of ghostly figures were standing there. "And I shouldn't worry because… why? I'm turning into a frigging Aerodactyl!"
Ho-oh hissed, and flames danced around the phoenix's form. Then, they were put out somehow.
A small hooded form stepped forward. He (I think he was a guy) said softly "Hold your fire, phoenix."
Three ladies walked up to me, and started to circle around me. "You opened this hole in reality yourself, when you activated your power, long dormant."
I felt my jaw drop. What the hell were they talking about? I didn't have any magic powers or crap like that, magic didn't exist where I was from!
They waited for a moment, and continued "You won't be able to do this again, you endangered far too much with your power. Instead, we shall grant you what you have envied – an overdrive. You shall be able to change your form to a degree, and acquire the powers of any of the pokemon from your world. But you will need to become stronger before you can use the powers of the very powerful ones. And your overdrive will have it's own risk – loose yourself to the form… and you cannot return to yourself."
My eyes widened. "How much of a shapeshift?"
"You could change into a pokemon… or remain a hybrid between the two."
Why am I here?
The figures turned to Mewtwo. "We don't know. He was the one who opened the door, ask him."
Mewtwo repeated wryly, Why am I here, Icewind?
I shrugged. "I'm not sure. Sorry about dragging you off from wherever, but I don't think I did it on purpose. Maybe it's because you're the ultimate pokemon that you got dragged here – and Ho-oh because it's tied to Suicune." I sighed, and wondered. I concentrated after a few moments, and a doorway appeared. "If that works the way I want, you can go back through there."
Mewtwo smiled softly. I wanted to properly thank you for freeing me. And for killing Giovanni, even if it did take the pleasure away from me. He then walked towards the door. I willed it open, but before he could leave, I softly said, "how are things going, in the world?"
He turned, and his head shook slowly. With the destruction of Team Rocket, Team Magma and Aqua have been acting up. But without Team Rocket's interference, we've been slowly destroying them. They won't awaken Kyogre and Groudon. I will not allow that – so I've been working to foil them. And the manhunt for you has ended, many people are starting to call you a hero. Albeit a dark one…
I smiled softly. "Well, I guess that makes sense. I dismantled a team without mercy. I did good by destroying them, evil by killing them all. Is that why you're out to stop Aqua and Magma?"
Yes. So their atrocities no longer happen. He nodded, and walked into the open doorway, disappearing.
Ho-oh screamed something, but I glared up at it. "Shaddup. Just go home, Suicune's not tied to you anymore. Or do I have to Ancientpower you to make you back off?"
Ho-oh backed away, and faded.
I turned to the ghostly figures. "You're the Fayth, aren't you? What the heck does Yuna need me for?"
A man dressed in armor smiled mysteriously. "Sin. That's why we brought you. We don't know if Sin can be destroyed, but you showed the most potential to destroy it, along with Tidus. For good, rather than just temporarily."
I nodded, and they began to fade. I turned to Suicune, and smiled softly. "Well, we've got to kick the crap out of Seymour. Shall we?"
Lets.
She started to fade, as did I.
&&&&&
&&&&&
The sword finished glowing. It now was a black intermixed with some gold, and white. An Ultra Sword had replaced the Great Sword.
&&&&&
&&&&&
I came back, hearing Seymour laughing. Everyone stopped fighting when I said coldly, "Shut up Seymour."
"Wa?"
I felt the Aerodactyl wings sprout from my back again, and I used them to float upwards (not very high, the ceiling cut me off). I silently said "Agility", and everything slowed down to super-slow speeds. I flew over to Seymour, and struck him six times. I then flew upwards, and hit him with an Ancientpower (I threw myself at him, wrapped in energy, hit him with a final strike, and then flew upwards again).The Agility's effect wore off after that. I saw the barrier of protect form instants afterwards – far too late, though.
Seymour went flying, blood leaking from his mangled form. He looked up at Yuna, from the ground. "Yuna...you would pity me now?" He died, and Yuna closed his eyes. I shook my head, and used my wings to fly down, and land near a wall. The wings faded after I set foot down. I gasped, and leaned on the wall. Overdrives took it out of you – or maybe I was just new at this.
"How did you do…." Tromell and some Guados appeared. I hissed, instantly knowing that trouble was going to happen. I wasn't disappointed. "Lord Seymour! What happened here?"
Wakka was still in a state of shock. "What...what have I done?" I snorted, "relax, you didn't kill him."
Tidus threw his arms up. "Wait a minute! It's not our fault at all! Seymour struck first! He's the bad guy!"
Tromell glared at us. "You did this?"
I shrugged from the wall. "I got the killing blow, if that's what you mean. But the jackass deserved it, he murdered his own father."
Auron tapped Yuna. "Yuna. Send him."
She stepped closer to Seymour, but Tromell pushed her back. "No, stop! Stay away from him, traitors!"
I glanced at Suicune. She froze Seymour's body with Ice Beam, and I concentrated, trying activate my overdrive so I could shift to a Clefairy (and use Sing), and knock them all out (I could wake up Yuna and the rest). It started to work, but I ran out of energy.
I swore, falling to the floor. "DAMN IT!" The Guados and Tromell had escaped with Seymour's body while everyone else was in a state of shock, and Suicune was recharging from the Ice Beam (pokemon can't attack constantly, especially with an attack that's not their type).
Yuna nearly started crying. "Traitors?"
Wakka looked at the ground. "We're finished."
Tidus shook his head. "Now hold on just a minute! Seymour's the bad guy, right? We'll explain to everyone what happened!"
I shook my head, from the floor. "It won't be that easy, Tidus. First, we get out of here." They nodded, and walked off. I reached into my pocket, and pulled out my first attempt at a human powerup – one that hadn't worked very well. All I had gotten was a bizarre potion that recharged energy only. I chugged it, and felt better. Not totally recharged, but better. After a few moments, I got up and followed them. I glanced at the black, gold, and white sword, and shrugged. "Ultra Sword, I guess. Wonder why it keeps on doing that…"
&&&&&
Everyone was walking around, trying to solve the puzzle. I swore softly. "You've GOT to be kidding me."
Tidus looked up from below, and shook his head. "No. You stay up there, it looks like whatever you did took it out of you."
I nodded, and leaned on the wall. I needed a nap.
&&&&&
After they managed to solve the puzzle, we walked across the magical bridge to the main room.
Yuna ran up to Tromell, looking desperate. "Please... give us a chance to explain."
Tromell smirked at her. "No need, I already know what I'll tell the other maesters."
I groaned, while Auron asked "Meaning...?"
Tromell continued to smirk, making me want to slice him open, if I wasn't so tired. Sort of, I was recovering with every breath. "Lord Seymour was the leader of the Guado before becoming a maester."
Tidus shook his head, then looked down. "You're not letting us go."
Tromell acted surprised, as if he'd never thought of that. "Let you go? Lord Seymour would never forgive us if we did."
Rikku shook her head, then cut in "Wait, wait! Jyscal's sphere! We can show it to them!"
Tromell held up the sphere, said innocently, "You mean this?" and then destroyed it. I swore softly, then looked at Suicune. She shook her head - she couldn't recover it. I can't… sorry. I whispered softly "It's alright."
Tromell smirked, as other Guado charged in. "The Guado take care of Guado affairs."
Auron cried "Run!"
I nodded. "We'll buy you guys time! GO!"
They ran off. Suicune gave me a questioning gaze (I gave her a wink), and then the air became VERY cold. A Guado went for her, but I stabbed him before he had a chance. We raced out, while they could hardly move in the biting chill (even for the temple of ice, that was cold). Once we were outside, she froze the doors together. This will hold them for a while. I smiled grimly, and she walked up next to me, her intent clear. Get on, and hang on.
I nodded, and climbed on her. She raced off, following Yuna.
&&&&&
We managed to get to the lake before the Guado caught up. They summoned an ice fiend, but it attacked them for a moment. They ran off, then it began to attack us.
I sighed softly. "Try to avoid fire here! This is a frozen lake, don't shatter it!" Lulu nodded, and started to carefully cast spells.
It took awhile. Eventually, Suicune became pissed off enough that she charged in herself, and started assaulting it with her own attacks. Ice didn't work very well, but her water attacks worked fine.
I had to stay out of it. I still didn't have enough energy for a big brawl.
Tidus raced up, and sliced the fiend six times in a row. Auron then inserted his sword into the ground, and the ice under the fiend exploded. It hissed, but didn't die.
Yuna then Valefor, and ordered an Energy Ray. Apparently, that's the name of the mini-Hyper Beam that the Aeon has. The fiend died, but pounded the ice before it did.
The ice shattered, weakened by the Energy Ray. Suicune swore, but for some reason, her pokeball returned her before she could do anything.
I swore myself as I fell into the lake.
&&&&&
I woke up, hearing someone's ragged breath. I moaned, and the sound cut off. I blinked open my eyes.
Rikku was next to me, her face peering into mine. I groaned, and slowly got into a sitting position. "Owwie…"
She burst out laughing, though it sounded very stressed. "Meanie! That's my line!"
I shrugged, then started laughing myself. Wakka turned, and scowled at the two of us. "You two… now isn't the time to be flirting!"
I shrugged. "We'll get a room. Happy?" I winked at Rikku, and we walked behind a rock.
I looked up, and said slowly, "We're underwater, and breathing. How is this possible?"
She shrugged. "I dunno. Just be glad we can." I nodded, and listened to the sounds. Rikku asked softly "Where did you disappear to… and what's with the wings?"
I shrugged. "The Fayth said that I somehow ripped reality, and created some place. They must have followed me in, because they were there. So were a few pokemon from my world, but that's not important. They told me that I could do that… draw on the power of pokemon from my world… so I took them for their word. Those were Aerodactyl wings."
She looked at me strangely, then fell silent, looking upwards. After about a minute, she said softly, "did you mean what you said?"
I nodded. "Yea. It took that idiot to make me realize it, though."
"Even though I'm an Al…"
I shook my head, cutting her off. "It doesn't matter to me."
She smiled happily, but it faded. "Uh… you're not trying to replace…"
I sighed. "No. No way. I know no one can replace another. I like you for being you. Ashley… I loved her for so long… but trust me, there's no way I'm going to confuse the two of you. Ever… you don't look alike." I grinned slightly "I'm gonna ask you the same thing, though. What about you and Tidus?"
"Uh… heh heh heh…" I smiled softly, as she trailed off. "Oh, you… I knew Yuna liked him, she told me herself. He's nice… but I wasn't going to fight Yunie for him!"
I looked at her. "There's something you're not saying. Whenever Tidus talks about 'after Sin's gone', there's this awkward silence. What the hell's going to happen?"
She looked at me incredulously, then it dawned on her. "Oh… didn't they tell you?" I shook my head bitterly. She looked down at the ground. "When a summoner… when Yunie gets the Final Aeon… when she uses it… she DIES!"
I swore. Not just once, but a mix of every foul word I knew, and every variation of the f-word you can think of, and most of them involving Yevon.
After I calmed down a bit, I thought it over. "Rikku… is that why the Al Bhed are after Yuna? To prevent that, because she's…"
Rikku nodded. "Uh huh. She's family."
I nodded. I wasn't going to let Yuna die for that – there was another way. I'd be damned if I didn't find it before we reached Zanarkand. I guess the Fayth were right about that. "This sounds petty, but still… am I a replacement Tidus?"
"Nuh-uh. I like you… because you're you. Sometimes you don't say stuff, but you're just so…"
I nodded, understanding. "Rikku… how much do you trust me?"
She looked at me strangely "With my life."
"Will you always trust me?"
She nodded, quiet.
I sighed, and pulled out the sphere I'd kept from the forest. "This… was made from my memories. It's my greatest shame… and why I'm able to do so much." I handed it to her. "Look at it if you want. I won't stop you."
She looked at the blank sphere, then activated it. Despite what I said, it actually had only fragments of the time. I didn't daily fight Rockets. But it showed when I did. And… of course, it showed Ashley's death. That was why I did what I did, after all.
It started on that. She looked at Ashley (purple hair and all), and then me. "Is she…"
I nodded, a tear falling. "Ashley…"
&&&&&
Tidus walked around, with Yuna following him when the sphere was still going. It showed Giovanni (though they didn't know him) dying from the Hyper Beam, then me sitting in a near death state on Mt. Silver – just sitting, doing nothing but stare off into the distance, and then went blank. Tidus looked at me (I guess I looked pained), and Rikku, who was crying. "Did… we miss something?"
I shook my head. "Could… we have a few minutes? She's seen the rest of my past… I…"
Yuna looked at Rikku, then pulled Tidus away (he protested, but still was dragged along).
&&&&&
Rikku looked from me to the sphere. "Did… you really do that?"
I nodded softly. "To be honest… yes. I did. I regret it to this day… but I did that. All of it." Murder, mayhem, and bombings. I made terrorists look like a joke…
She looked at the sphere, a few more tears falling from her face. "It… just doesn't seem like you'd…"
I sighed, and smiled weakly. "I can't really say anything."
She smiled sadly. "So you clam up when you should be talking. Promise me something?"
I nodded "try me."
"You'll never do that again… no matter what… and you'll fight as hard for me… as you did for her?"
"I promise."
She grabbed me into a weak hug, and shook. We were in that position for a few minutes.
&&&&&
Rikku was leaning on me when we walked away from the rock. I think it was for emotional support more than anything else. Tidus started to say something, but Yuna shushed him. I felt better - it was like bleeding a wound full of Toxic, draining out most (if not all) of the poison.
"You two done?"
I rolled my eyes. "Auron, gimme a break. Just because you didn't have a love life doesn't mean everyone else doesn't have to have one." I looked up at the temple, and shook my head slightly. "We climbing up? That's a long way."
"Is that a problem?"
I shook my head, sighing. "Where to?"
Yuna looked slightly worried. "We must go to Bevelle. We must speak with Maester Mika and explain what has happened. There is no other way, I think."
I narrowed my eyes, trying not to say 'no'. "Yuna… that's a bad idea. We never sent Seymour, he could come back."
Rikku shivered. "Urgh…"
I shook my head. Lulu looked at the temple in alarm. "The singing stopped."
I looked behind us. "Oh, crap" was all I was able to say, before darkness took me.
A/N: I know that it's 'bad' to some people that he's seemingly recovering so fast, but the thing is, the Fayth 'fixed' him. It just took time to 'set', and for him to start to realize it. Think about that before you complain in reviews, ok? Because I am NOT dealing with flame after flame on that.
Secondly, if you want vivid details of what happened to Icewind, you're NOT getting them. Blood, gore, and explosions. That's all you need to know. I do NOT have a vivid imagination for that kind of stuff. If you want a rough (key word, ROUGH), outline, I'll put it up in the A/N of the next chapter.
But only if it's requested. Otherwise, I'm not wasting my, or anyone else's time at that.
