OCAdam: It was ER, as you called it. I was pointing out that it COULD be that Leblank was speaking to her henchmen (the one who likes butts). I won't comment on the 'cheat code' thing, that's author's right. And actually, you're MOSTLY right. Most are anom, but Shadaray and Laniac67 sign their reviews.

ross heuchan: Do I look like a seer? Oh, wait, I should know the plot, consitering I wrote it. Well, I'll just say late in the story.

Laniac67: I'm not sure if I should be complimented or not. I'll take it as that. But probably one of the reasons it works is because it's DIFFERENT. Usually, it's 'inject person who's playing PS2, and gets sucked in.' In this story, he has no more clue than anyone else. And he's from a strange world too. What's more, he has a background, and no way he's berrie stu. Not everyone likes him, he isn't happy always, and he's a mass murderer. Last time I checked, berrie stu (Gary Stu, as you call it), aren't killers, they're the super-happy kind (that would make Icewind want to stab them out of sheer irritation).


Mt. Gagazet:

I squinted upward at the mountain. "It kinda does look like Mt. Silver, now that I think about it."

True… but it's still not Mt. Silver.

I grinned at her. "Yea. No Ursaring, Tyranitar, or other nasty pokemon."

She chuckled merrily.

&&&&&

The entrance was blocked. A large group of Ronso blocked the way onwards. Kelk was leading them in barring the way. "Summoner Yuna and guardians, leave here at once! Gagazet is Ronso land, sacred mountain of Yevon. The mountain will not bear the footsteps of infidels! Enemy of Yevon is enemy of Ronso! Leave, traitors!"

I snorted softly, and threw the other five pokeballs. My pokemon stood behind me, and I myself began to shift to draw on a Salamence's strength. I heard Erastrani make a small complaint about the temperature, but she dealt with it (I think Balrog heated her up with a small flame). My mouth stretched outward, and fangs filled in, replacing my regular teeth. Wings sprouted from my back, and I snorted again, giving them a grin of fangs. "Do you think you can stop us?" Kelk stepped backwards, almost in fear. I smiled another shark grin, and added "stop saying traitor. It's heretic. Sin isn't eternal, and you don't need to repent to kill it. We're no longer part of the temples, we've cast aside Yevon." By this time, my skin was blue, and my form was dragonesque.

He gave me a cold look, and drew a spear similar to Kimahri's. "You will die by those words."

Yuna said "So be it. Yevon has warped the teachings and betrayed us all!"

I added softly, as my form sifted completely to a Salamence (I'd kept the ability to speak) "And they've killed helpless innocents, who deserved a life." It came out as a growl, but I know they got the gist of it.

Rikku walked up next to me, and put her hand on my neck. I bent my head down, and nudged her gently with my head. "I'm alright. Still me."

Tidus glanced at me, and then nodded himself. Rikku smiled sadly, and her eyes hardened. I grinned myself, teeth showing clearly, "We have no regrets for what we're doing. It's the right thing."

A loudmouth Ronso said "Blasphemers!"

Kimahri looked ready to stab him, but he stopped himself. Kelk watched, and seemed deep in thought.

Lulu said "Lord Kelk Ronso, if I may. Have you not also turned your back on Bevelle?"

Auron added "But still, you guard Gagazet as a Ronso, not a maester. Yuna is much the same."

Another Ronso spoke, glaring at me. "Elder Kelk! Let Biran rend them asunder!"

"No escape! Not one!"

I growled, and a small flame burst from my mouth. The other pokemon walked up next to me, and took their battle stances. The two bravos looked at each other, as if they wondered if they were honestly willing to back up what they said.

Yuna gave me a small smile, and said "No, we will not flee. We will fight, and continue on."

Kelk turned to her in shock. "You have been branded a traitor, but still you would fight Sin? Lost to the temple, hated by the people, yet you continue your pilgrimage? Everything lost! What do you fight for?"

Yuna responded (almost sadly) "I fight for Spira. The people long for the Calm. I can give it to them. It's all I can give. Defeating Sin, ending pain...this I can do."

Kelk muttered "Even sacrificing yourself?" (Hey, dragon ears are sensitive enough to pick that up.) He turned to the gang he'd gathered. "Ronso, let them pass!" He then turned back to Yuna. "Summoner Yuna, your will is stronger than steel. Tempered steel that even the mightiest Ronso could not hope to bend. Yuna, we bow to your will! Now go! The scared heights of Gagazet welcomes you."

Yuna bowed to him. "We thank you."

I nodded grimly, and let the transformation go. I reverted in about three seconds to my natural form.

I grabbed five pokeballs, and turned to my pokemon. "It's cold up there. Balrog, Psymachine, you want to stay out?"

Balrog shook his head, and Psymachine said No. I do not like cold. I nodded, and returned everyone except Suicune. I coulda asked Mindstrike, but he's not built for cold. He doesn't have very much fat on him, he'd freeze.

&&&&&

Kimahri got into a brawl with the two bullies. I gave him a glance, and he shook his head – so I stayed out of it. Once that was over (and the Ronso singing, which was DISTURBING), Rikku said to me, "Oh… why do you keep on doing that?"

I sighed softly. "It's for intimidation. What would you think if someone changed into a dragon, one that looked ready to burn you down?"

"I'd go running the other way, really fast."

I smiled "That's the idea. Not to mention that these shapeshifts make me stronger…"

Rikku grabbed my sword from my hand. "But… this… changed…"

I shrugged. "From red, to blue, to black-gold? I have no clue why it's doing that. Every time it changes, I do feel that I'm getting some strength from it…"

"So that means you don't have to change!"

I sighed. "Even then, it's not enough. I'm doing it for a reason, Rikku. Remember?"

She hung her head. "I know… but still… I worry."

"Yunie, huh?" I sighed softly. "Rikku… if it's a choice between her dying, and me… who would you save?"

Rikku looked down. "I… don't…"

I smiled, and said gently, "save her."

She looked up at me, her eyes full of tears. "But…"

"Rikku… remember, she's… the one who inspires hope within people." I bitterly laughed, and said "me, I'm best suited to…"

"Defending those who have no one to help them." I glanced over to Tidus (he'd said it). "That's a way to put it, I guess."

Tidus shook his head, and said, "You really need to stop beating up on yourself. It's done! You can't take it back."

I smiled defeatedly. "Maybe. That's why I'm here. To repent… deal with it."

Rikku knocked me over (no mean feat, I guess she's gotten stronger), and glared at me. She said in my ear "stop it… stop it… stop it!" She kissed me, then broke it off to resume glaring.

I nodded after a few moments, and she lightened up. "Try your best for the both of us, huh?"

"I'm not going to let either of you die."

I glanced over at Yuna, who was walking next to Suicune (she was breaking the bitter mountain wind for everyone). "You're right. But… she is a shining light here. We've got to find a way to save her." I got up slowly.

Tidus looked down. "I have to…"

I smiled darkly, and grabbed him by the neck after a moment. "Now who's being bitter? I told you, leave the fiends to me. You just worry about Yuna and yourself…"

"H… hey!" Tidus fought off my grip, and turned to me. "What're you talking… oh." I grinned, and said, "I thought I told you to keep her warm? Now go do it."

He shook his head, and walked back to Yuna. Rikku began to chuckle from beside me. "You sound like an old lady, arranging marriages."

I glanced over at her, then Suicune. "I swear, I just heard Suicune talk in Rikku's voice. Maybe she can transform too… it'd be nice to hang out with a girl who doesn't pitch insults at me all the time."

"H… hey!"

I laughed merrily, and ran off, Rikku holding a grenade in her hand, waving it at me threateningly.

&&&&&
&&&&&

Yuna looked at the two. "Well, they're having fun."

Tidus nodded. "He's kinda weird. Keeps on telling me…" Tidus trailed off, embarrassed. Yuna said to him "to keep me warm?"

Tidus jumped back. "Wha? How'd you know?"

She smiled sadly. "I heard him say it one time." She snuggled next to Tidus. "Well, are you?"

He nearly jumped back, but then held her close with his right hand. He said softly to himself "I think Icewind has been pushing her… I don't remember her being this bold before…"

&&&&&
&&&&&

Rikku gave up chasing me with a grenade after awhile, and turned back to see Tidus and Yuna snuggled together, still walking with everyone else. I'd noticed earlier, but she'd been preoccupied with trying to shout threats. Rikku said, "Aww…"

I grinned "well, I guess prodding DOES work."

Rikku grinned at me, and asked, "You've been pushing them together?"

I nodded. "Tidus is thick as a rock sometimes… and Yuna's too shy to do anything to get through to him. So I pushed things a bit… and told her how he feels."

She looked at me curiously. "When'd you say that?"

I shrugged. "A bit before the temple of ice, at the agency. I was trying to talk her out of marrying Seymour, by telling her that. I guess it stuck in her mind."

She smiled, and held me tightly.

&&&&&

Tidus later slowed down to talk to us. "You two have any ideas… the Final Aeon?"

I shrugged, and Rikku sighed. "I've got one. Can't say it's a very good one… it's too unsure. I'm not promising anything, unless I know for sure. Tidus, you got something?"

Tidus shook his head. "Zanarkand… I think we'll find something there. Something that will make this all come together."

I nodded, rather than sighing like I wanted to. I finally said, "I hope so."

Rikku gasped as the figure hovered into sight, while I swore. Tidus whirled around, and nearly swore himself. "Seymour!"

Seymour said calmly "Ah, the son of Jecht. And the otherworld guardian…"

I said softly "Rikku, run ahead, and tell everyone about him."

Rikku whirled around, saying "You are not fighting him alone!"

I snorted, and looked over at Tidus, who looked pissed beyond words. "Who's alone?" Rikku followed my gaze, and nodded. She said softly "stay safe", and ran off.

Seymour said coolly to us "Now is your time to die. Prepare yourselves."

I chuckled "and how is this different than last time, when I crushed you under a pile of rocks, and then had the earth erupt under you?"

A fireaga spell knocked me into the rock wall. I groaned (that HURT), and managed to mutter, "Oh. So now you're not going to let me power up. How fun." I slowly got off the wall, and into a battle stance.

"Save some for Kimahri!" Kimahri rushed in, stopping near Seymour. If looks were lasers, Seymour would be fried.

Yuna ran over to me, and cast a Cura spell, healing the damage I'd gotten. She asked, "You ok now?"

I nodded, and gave her a reassuring grin. "I'm fine. Just got a little careless. He's not letting me transform anytime soon."

She turned to Seymour, who just seemed to realize she arrived. He opened his mouth, but I cut him off. In a rather bored tone, I said, "Yea, yea. Hello Yuna, nice to see you again, will you now marry me, something like that? We know the spheal. Just go to hell already!"

Yuna drew her staff, but had to duck as Seymour sent a bolt of electricity at her. Seymour seemed amused, as he said in that creepy-ass voice, "A sending, so soon? Allow me to say something to the last Ronso before I leave. Yours was...truly a gallant race. They threw themselves at me to bar my path. One...after another..."

Seymour smiled. I gave him a hate-filled glare. "Seymour…"

Kimahri gave him a similar look, and pointed his spear at Seymour. Yuna said tentivly "Kimahri?" She knew not to worry about me … I can take care of myself. Killing off so many, and not gaining some fighting skills? Heh.

Seymour said calmly, "You could end the suffering of this poor Ronso."

Yuna looked confused. "I don't understand you!"

"Allow Kimahri to die, and release him from his pain. Spira...is a land of suffering and sorrow caught in a spiral of death. To destroy-to heal-Spira, I will become Sin. Yes, with your help."

Yuna looked startled, like she hadn't understood his mad ravings before. Don't look at me; I think he should just die so I don't have to listen to his lunacy. Seymour continued "Come with me, Yuna. Once I have become the next Sin, your father will be freed again."

I felt my anger increase even more. That low-down bastard. Her father was DEAD. What the fuck was he talking about? Death may be freedom, but who the fuck kills off everyone to 'save them'?

Tidus seemed to be thinking along the same lines. "What do you know?"

I added quickly "You bastard of a half-breed!" I figured it would still piss him off. I guessed right, he gave me a look of pure rage. "You pitiful mortal."

"You're dead, if I recall… so you're just some pitiful lost soul, refusing to accept death."

A weird floating thing appeared, and Seymour stepped onto it, then transformed into that demon form again. "Your hope ends here."

Rikku threw Vib's pokeball, and Vib landed beside her, ready to help. He looked irritated enough TO help, even in the cold. Dragons in a rage can ignore almost anything, even ice attacks. Suicune was nearly beside herself, as she started to attack.

&&&&&

I was pissed. That's the only word for it. I was pissed beyond words at Seymour. He was so deluded; he thought he was going to 'save' the world – by destroying it. Familiar tune, the Aquas and Magmas ran a similar thing, just arguing that they were making the world better by nearly destroying it.

But it wasn't my fight. Yuna and the others deserved a shot at Seymour without my interference. I'd at least give them a chance to kill Seymour, I'd already taken his life once. I shouted, and called Suicune back.

Besides, Kimahri deserved to fight Seymour. He'd lost everyone he knew. I knew he wanted vengeance, I'd let him have it.

I sighed, and backed off… but then I saw Rikku fall over after a minute's worth of brawling, bleeding heavily. Something snapped.

&&&&&
&&&&&

Rikku gasped, and fell over, a wound in her side bleeding heavily. A blast of cold air struck her, and she saw a blurry figure standing beside her, pouring a strange potion on her wound.

The wound closed instantly. She finally looked at the figure clearly. It was Icewind… and blue wings had sprouted from his back. His skin looked like it had sprouted blue feathers… that were made of ice. His hair had divided into three major parts, standing up into a W shape… and trailing all the way behind him, forming a long ribbon of blue, which looked beautiful. He gave her a sad smile (she noticed the presence of fear in his eyes), and stood, his blade flashing in the mountain sun. He said in almost a double tone, "sorry, but I'm jumping in now."

Rikku slowly got up, and watched. Icewind had flown into the air, and was fighting Seymour. He'd already destroyed Seymour's floating platform.

Vib landed on Rikku's head (shuddering – he recognized the titan of ice), but she was too distracted to notice.

Yuna and the others had stopped fighting, almost in awe at the ice angel fighting on their side. Yuna had summoned Valefor… but Rikku thought it was just in case Icewind fell, his transformation wearing off. They never knew for sure when his tricks would wear off… he'd never said how he honestly transformed.

&&&&&
&&&&&

I dove towards Seymour, a cold wavering light running down my blade. I pulled up as Seymour fired a Firaga spell where I just had been, and swung the sword hard at him.

A beam of frozen ice hit Seymour. His energy seemed to be draining, since he couldn't depend on that floating monstrosity. We'd been brawling for about five minutes now.

Seymour began to laugh madly. "You cannot stop me, no matter what you become. Even your gods cannot stop death!"

I snorted, and the winds began to howl in response. "Ho-oh can. If she feels like it." A Blizzard attack hit Seymour, freezing him in the air for a moment, before he thawed himself.

I heard him mutter "what form is this? His powers have grown immensely…"

I laughed. "My hearing isn't that weak." I set down near the others slowly. "This is your story, not mine. I'll stay out of it now."

They gave me incredulous looks, and then turned to Seymour. I think I saw a carnivore's grin on Kimahri as he began to breathe fire at him, then launched himself at Seymour. Same for Auron – I think I saw him give me a respectful nod before he turned to Seymour himself.

But I wasn't just being nice. I'm damn near empty on energy, those acrobatics took too much out of me.

&&&&&

Seymour plummeted from the sky, compliments of the hell the others had unleashed on him. Of all of them, Kimahri had gone the most berserk, taking incredible damage, and shrugging it off.

I walked up to them, the transformation still holding for some weird reason. "Nice job…"

I felt something slip, and my energy collapse. I saw Rikku rushing to catch me… and darkness took me.

&&&&&

Ashley stood right in front of me. "Luin, you've got to find a better way."

I looked at her in shock. "Ashley… you're…"

She sighed, her purple locks swaying in a breeze. "No… I'm still dead." She slowly touched my chest, and her hand went straight through.

I looked at the arm, and then her face. There was a deep sadness in it… but contentment as well. "Ashley, I'm sorry."

She gave me that smile I was so familiar with. "I know. You loved me so much; you wanted to fall with me. But it wasn't your time."

I looked down slowly. "I'm…"

She sounded happy as she cut me off, saying, "I know. You've found another. That's good. I wanted to kick your ass for moping around like that."

I snapped my head upwards in shock. "What?"

She smiled again. "I loved you… but I didn't want to see you suffering like that for me. Please… if you love me… move on. Romantic as I think it is, I… can't stand you being in two minds like this."

I sighed softly, and nodded. "But… will there at least be a happy ending this time?"

Ashley shrugged, "I can't say. But she can take care of herself. Treat her like a defenseless girl, and she'll kick your ass, just like I did." Ashley's always been fond of that line – kicking someone's ass… I chuckled despite myself, and said, "no complaints there. Rikku's a tough girl, just like you…"

I felt a hand go through my face "No guilt trips. I warned you!"

I looked down, and hung my head. "Sorry."

I figured she was ready to punch me again, but light flooded my eyes. "Oh, crap! I'm out of time! Shit!"

&&&&&

"Oh…" I slowly opened my eyes, and looked around. The sun was in a different position than I remembered. Definitely passed out.

A gasp drew my attention. Rikku was sitting next to me, her face reflecting worry. "Icewind?"

I opened my eyes wider, and looked up at her. "What… happened?"

She gushed out, "You passed out. Lulu said that you used up too much energy… but none of the potions we tried on you worked. Suicune was worried about you… somehow she popped out, and she hasn't gone back into her ball…"

I reached up slowly, and stroked her face, cutting off her stream of talk. "I'll be fine. Next time, take one of the energy potions I've got in my pack. Somehow… make me drink it. They're… labeled… it'll help me recover."

That had cost me, I felt my energy fading again. A liquid ran down my throat, and then darkness took me again.

But I smiled before I collapsed. Articuno wasn't a joke of a pokemon, it was the titan of ice. Even if I had pushed my luck again (I was probably maxed out at the bank of luck)… at least... I've been getting better.

&&&&&
&&&&&

Rikku sighed, as she realized he'd collapsed again. At least she'd gotten him to take one of those energy potions he'd talked about.

Weird, though, that giving him an Ether did nothing. Whatever he used to power his overdrive, it apparently wasn't the same source that Lulu and everyone else used.

&&&&&
&&&&&

I sat alone in the dark. "A better way…" Ashley had said there was a better way. But what was she talking about? My transformations? Rage fueled it… or could it draw on other emotions to power the change?

"There's got to be a way. I can't move past the three birds… I know it. Not like this. I fainted after taking one of their forms for five minutes. And I need all the power I can get if I'm going to stop Sin forever… and stop Yuna from using the Final Aeon. She doesn't deserve to die…"

"Icewind, WAKE UP!"

&&&&&
&&&&&

Rikku gasped, as Icewind's eyes fluttered. He softly said, "My… name… is… Luin…"

"Huh? Luin?"

She nearly started crying, as she saw his eyes finally open again. It'd been over a day now…

&&&&&
&&&&&

I woke up slowly, feeling ice. I guess snow had somehow gotten into my clothes. I groaned, and stretched.

Rikku was next to me. She called out "He's waking up…"

I sighed, and got up unsteadily. "I'm not doing that again."

Rikku held up her weapon to my face. "No you aren't. We clear on that?"

I sighed, and said softly "another way… maybe there is a way."

Rikku said dangerously soft "Ice… Luin, are we clear on that?"

I shook my head, not really noticing that she'd called me by my real name. "No. I think I've got a way to sustain my change without collapsing like that. All I've got to do is not use rage… heh. Maybe that Sci-fi was right on something. Rage burns you out."

Rikku lost her previous look, and instead gave me a confused one. "What are you talking about?"

"I can probably shapeshift higher-up now on the tier, and not collapse."

Auron, who had walked up to us while I was talking, snorted. "I'll believe that when I see it."

I laughed bitterly, and then concentrated. Not on my rage… but rather my intense desire to protect. To protect them… to stop Sin from killing everyone… to save Yuna from sacrificing herself… to be with a happy Rikku.

&&&&&
&&&&&

Icewind (Luin) stood still for a moment, then his skin became a cool blue, and the wings he grew this time looked almost like aircraft wings. His upper arm slimmed, while his lower arm became larger, his fingers almost resembling claws. His ears lengthened to Latios's ear shape, and his face became dragonlike, with a mostly blue appearance, except for a white circle on his forehead.

Latios hovered where Luin had been, a serious expression on the dragon's face (though normally, Latios ALWAYS looked serious.)

&&&&&
&&&&&

I smiled at them as best I could, while I floated in the air, and said telepathically (my mouth would have worked, but this would be better), This would be Latios, who has basically the same power as the titans… maybe a bit less, but close enough. He's from a different region.

"So now you can transform into a slightly weaker form without passing out. Is that it?"

No, now I can also shape-shift at will, and not collapse unless I go berserk. I'm sorry Rikku… but I promised I'd guard Yuna. No way I'm letting her die because of some stupid Aeon.

Rikku hung her head, and I let the transformation go. I walked over to her, and said, "Rikku… I'm sorry. But…"

"You idiot…"

I laughed softly, and just held her. We hadn't gone very far while I was out of it, just into a sheltered cave. "Did I miss something?"

"Jecht… Tidus's dad is Sin."

I sighed, but didn't say anything more.

&&&&&

After a while, we left. The occasional fiend would pop up, but everyone insisted I take it easy, and let them handle it.

We reached this incredibly bizarre thing… a twister of green energy, twirling upwards to the sky, the green fluid coming from… statues in the rock… or bodies, I couldn't tell. All I could say was wow.

So could Rikku. "Wow!"

Wakka said slowly, looking at the statues "Wh-What are those?"

Yuna looked at them, and her mouth opened slowly. "Those… are Fayth. A summoning! Someone is using these Fayth! Someone is drawing energy from all of them!"

Tidus looked at them in something close to shock. "This many?"

Lulu said slowly "Who wields power on this scale, and what could they be calling?"

Auron looked calmly at the twister. I glared at him, knowing he knew something. Rikku caught my glace, and said it instead of me "Hey, you know something, don't you? Spill the beans!"

Auron just deadpanned "Look not to others for knowledge. This is your journey, too."

I said softly "it's also yours…"

Rikku said, glaring at him, "Yunie might die, you know?"

Tidus looked at the two of them, then shook his head. "No... Auron's right."

"Huh?" I think at least half the guardians said that, myself included.

Tidus walked up to the bodies / statues, and said "This is our... This is my story." He then touched them, and his legs buckled.

Yuna gasped, and rushed over to him, catching him before he fell. She fell under his weight, but managed to prevent him from conking his head.

I heard Auron mutter "they're dropping like flies."

I said quickly to him "Shaddup! At least I managed to kick Seymour's ass before I passed out." I then stomped up to the rocks, and glared at them.

A bit of the fluid splashed onto me… and I felt something inside my head. The guy in armor was back again, standing nearby.

"What're you doing here?"

"Have you learned what you need?"

"Yea. No using rage."

"Precisely. He did say you were quick…" The armored guy faded. I shook my head, and looked back at the statues.

"Uh… Icewind? Who were you talking to?"

"A Fayth." I sighed, and sat down near the collapsed Tidus. Wakka gave me a look that said 'you're crazy', but I ignored it.

Yuna cried softly "Wake up! Wake up… please!"

Tidus's eyes snapped open. Yuna smiled down at him, and then gave us nervous looks. I grinned, and motioned for everyone to look away (I pointed to Auron, then rotated my finger around. He seemed to get it), then did so myself. Call it humoring her.

Ah well, at least she's getting braver.