Remora didn't feel as safe in the Thunder Plains as much as she did in any other place. There had been an issue, apparently that you could possibly get struck by lightning if you stop moving for too long but she had the capability to dodge any sudden strike, she hoped. She remembered the storm that she had went through back at home. She did remember seeing some lightning strikes at some farther parts away from where she had ran. Then she thought about the days where it would storm normally. She would most likely be sound asleep in her bed listening to piano music to keep her doze deep as the rolling thunders had shook the city softly and constantly. But this place would be the perfect place to commit suicide if you wanted to, the issue was right about the whole thing. She did see the ground get struck from time to time, but nothing too close, and she wanted it to stay that way. She had noticed that Rikku had been kind of dragging behind from everyone else. Remora figured that she was just as concerned about the whole thing as much as she was. But what really had her a bit concerned, aside from the whole proposal that Seymour just made to Yuna, was the way that Auron and Fang were acting. Ever since they made it to Guadosalem, they both had been acting a little bit resentful or just keeping to themselves lately. Remora decided to talk it out with her.

"Hey, Fang," Fang turned with her eyebrows perked up. "Is everything okay? You seemed a little tense today inside Guadosalem."

"I'm just...concerned. Like when we were in the presentation room, I remember Seymour telling you that he sensed that a friend may betray you...us."

"You really think he was talking about any of us? I mean, you all are so loyal to me and Yuna. Well...you're not our slaves, but- you know what I mean."

"Then who do you think he was talking about? You don't know anyone else here, do you?"

Remora still looked ahead of her, but she could feel Auron's gaze turn to her the moment Fang asked her question. "Nope...no one as special as you all at least."

Fang had just realized that normally when walking in group, Rikku would be right next to her, but she wasn't on either of Fang's sides. "Where's Rikku?" The group slowed down and then halted when everyone knew then that they were a body short. Remora looked behind her then to see that Rikku was walking very slowly, way behind the group. "O-...oh." She said surprised. The group patiently (almost) waited for Rikku to be in touch with them; her eyes were dilated and she was hugging herself.

"D-Does it normally storm like this...?!"

"I'd guess so. I don't think this place has ever been without rain." Lightning ripped through the sky and a big bang of thunder shook the area. Rikku had shrieked and embraced herself tighter. Everyone else just stared at her quivering. Then she had lowered herself on all fours to the ground, just sitting there for a moment. Then, almost too quickly, she had begun to swiftly crawl over to Tidus's leg to cling on it helplessly. It nearly startled Remora to see how fast she suddenly came close to them.

"Okay! I admit it! I'm afraid of thunder; I hate storms!" She paused for a moment before looking up ahead of her. Everyone was behind a hill. "But I heard that...there's an agency here somewhere. If we find it, can we please stay?!"

Remora did know that they didn't really rest ever since they left Djose Temple, but Rikku seemed very anxious. "We'll see." She offered a hand to Rikku so that she could help herself stand up, even though she still looked slightly panicked. They all have walked a long way and didn't realize it, but Rikku was right about one thing. There was an agency a few yards away from the hill they all walked up from. Rikku at that point was begging to stay and take a small break; she would stay in place as everyone attempted to walk away, yet she wouldn't keep quiet, and after a while of ignorance and complaining, everyone had finally gave up and decided to stay in the agency for a while. Rikku would still get frightened from the constant thunder booms, but she was just grateful she was inside. Everyone was at opposite corners while Remora and Fang were at their own. Fang looked a bit perked up about something.

"Oh! Remora, I forgot to give you this." Fang had reached into her pocket and pulled out a little pamphlet and handed it to Remora. It was another Al Bhed primer, and Remora had forgotten that they had existed after all that has happened. She then remembered that she only knew three letters of the Al Bhed alphabet.

"How did you get this?"

"These people called Al Bhed took care of me until I met you, and they gave this to me."

D -- T

"Wait...Al Bhed's helped you out?"

"Yes. They were very nice to me. Don't worry, I didn't get hurt at all while I was here."

"Alright then." Remora had wanted to tell Fang about the amount of trouble the Al Bhed had done with them, but she also thought about how she'd react, so she kept it to herself so she wouldn't upset or worry her. "As long as they didn't hurt you."

"You're sounding like me now." Fang said giggling a bit.

The group had gotten a short break, due to Rikku's whining, before heading off through the plains again. They were just a few feet away from the entrance of Macalania Forest, but they were all standing under what looked like a rather aged patio, mainly because Yuna rethought her decisions about marrying Seymour. Everyone was quiet, but they would support Yuna's thoughts to help out her decisions; except for Tidus. Ever since they all left Guadosalem, most of his opinions were a hint of doubt, big doubt, and it seemed to have disappointed him to know that everyone else what thinking of the positives of what could happen if Yuna and Seymour did marry. He had also begun to bug Remora about it as well, even though she knew he was just concerned. Either that or jealous.

"Say Remora...don't you think that Yuna and Seymour would get married for the right reasons? I mean...I'm not sure if she really loves him or not. Isn't that what marriage is all about?"

Remora was quiet for a moment, deep in thought, then she spoke her mind. "Not necessarily. Marriage doesn't always have to be just for love. They can be for other reasons. Whether if it's love, or to work together to keep one in one place, or for the safety of others. I think that's what it's mainly about though...to try and bring Spira's different races together. That and to make them feel more at peace, aside from Sin."

"That's what Lulu said...but you sound more determined about this. Not accepting but not denying."

Remora had figured that's what everyone else around was feeling too. But it was a big decision for Yuna, and everyone had to think and give her as much support as possible. They all departed as soon as Yuna felt comfortable with her choice of words, and departed into the forest.

Vera lay silently inside of her bed, reading a few sections of the books she had gotten for Remora. She had known that her knowledge of Spira was greater than Remora's, yet after all she's gone through she felt as though she's lost half of her smarts. She felt that day by day, she was missing something sacred or hidden inside one of her books. She pushed her sleek light blonde hair back behind her ears so she could see more clearly, but her eyes were giving out from the lack of rest she had lately. It was times like these that she no longer felt young, no matter how much she looked it. Remora was growing up quickly, and so was she.

"I need...to stay awake." She had told herself. She put the book face down on the soft covers of her bed as she got out of them. Her night gown was unbuttoned and flowed easily as she walked to the bathroom, so her lingerie was slightly exposed, not that anyone would see. She had turned the sink water on to a warm temperature and constantly splashed her face. After a minute she looked herself in the mirror and stared right back into her deep purple eyes. Remora's father, who had been gone for some time now, had blue eyes but it was a very unusual mix that Remora had purple and pink eyes instead of either purple or blue eyes. The family never found out why one of her eyes was the color pink.

I'd figure you'd wish to know the answer to your long-lasting question.

A voice had echoed through the air, greatly startling Vera. She held the two sides of her night gown together with a hand incase someone was inside, which she was hoping there wasn't.

"Jeckt!? Is that you?!"

No, unfortunately.

"Who are you?!"

You're daughter is an interesting girl. A perfect energy source.

The words had sounded familiar, but Vera could not make out the sound of the voice. It was eerie and sounded amused about something.

"What do you mean 'energy source'?"

Remora was born with a gift. A heredity that you claim as well, that no human, or any other species has ever heard of.

"What are you talking about?! Remora is completely human!"

I'm afraid not.

At this point, Vera had stepped out of the bathroom and into her room, looking around frantically for a face that she could yell at.

"Look. I have been doing nothing but yelling at people for the past days. As much as I want to know Remora's safety, can't you just leave me to think for myself?!"

You'll only end up hurting yourself.

"Hurting myself?"

And that's my mission.

Vera had gasped at the last message she heard in her head. She had backed up until her back was to the wall, afraid of what was to come. She continued to face forward, but her hand had reached into her drawer for a weapon. She felt a switchblade greet her hands as she felt the rough edges against her finger. She had pulled it out, hiding it behind her back, breathing heavily.

"Who are you...?"

For now, my identity is of no importance. But I promise, dear. You'll know who I am soon enough.

A cold mist had filled the room, giving Vera a feeling that whoever was talking to her had disappeared. She had slunk down to the floor letting go the blade next to her, and had lowered her head, letting her hair camouflage her face. Now it was Remora and her that were in the middle of invisible threats.

"What have I done to deserve this...?" Vera asked herself. The cold had stayed in place in her room, it almost felt solid, no air coming in or out of it. She wished she knew someone else that would be able to support her, but who else in Siren City would know about Spira? Unless- Vera had suddenly gotten an idea and grabbed her cell, pushing the buttons mostly with her sharp nails. The phone picked up after a few seconds.

"Siren City International Library. May we be of serv-"

"Is this Rouge?"

"Hmm...why yes? And who might this be?"

"I'm Remora's mother, Vera. If you don't remember her, she was the girl that was at your library the day of the storm."

"Why, Vera. I heard she's gone missing!"

"She did, but I know where she is, but we need to talk through the whole story alone to help me figure things out. Do you think we can have a private meeting sometime this week?"

"Well, the library was actually going to be closed this week, but if it's really this urgent, I think we can give us a private meet."

"Thank you, Rouge." Vera said relieved.

"Is tomorrow okay?"

"...It's perfect."

The forest stayed the same from how Remora remembered it. There were a few unusual things about it though that she never thought could happen before. Butterflies...not just butterflies, but a game involving butterflies. A creature that seemed very melodramatic had told Remora about how special the butterflies in the forest were. If they were to catch enough blue butterflies, they'd be rewarded with good fortune. However, red butterflies were apparently a bad omen, and would summon powerful fiends if disturbed in the slightest way. Remora had fun with her first few tries, but then her guardians would have to jump right in incase she ran into any reds. But now they were out of the forest, and everything was the way that Remora had left it; snowy, cold, beautiful. Auron had began to slug behind as they had turned around the agency.

"I believe that we should rest here."

Rikku didn't approve. "What?! But the temples right there!" She pointed out. She did have a point, the road to the temple was only a few meters away.

"And we're not even tired." Tidus had stated. Auron rolled his eyes bluntly.

"Well I am. We rest now."

Rikku had huffed at his order, but Remora knew it was just for everyone's safety and stamina. They had only taken a little break at the Thunder Plains, which Rikku was more than relieved to be out of. Everyone then followed Auron inside for a resting place. Remora closed the door behind her as she looked straight on. The same girl that she met before was still behind the desk, and had figured she doesn't get any breaks. The girl looked up and immediately recognized Remora.

"Ah- it's you!" She said with a smile. Remora smiled back and walked to the counter so they'd be face to face. "I was wondering how you were doing since you arrived here. Has everything been alright?"

"Yep. A lot of things happen that I can't say all in one day, but above all, I'm doing great. I see you're still working."

"Ah, yeah. My boss rarely gives me any breaks, but the pay is still good. It'll keep my family alive to put it that way."

"Just grin and bear it and everything should go fine for you and your kids." Remora had figured the woman had children from the fact that there were three of them roaming around without any other adult around but her. She smiled as she watched them run around the lobby energized. Yuna was looking through the bookshelf until she had turned towards the group, but no one in particular.

"I think I'll go and rest now." She said.

"Go ahead." Tidus replied. Yuna had then gone through the hall to her room privately.

"Actually...I think I'll turn in too." He started, and then he disappeared.

One of the children ran up to examine Remora for a moment, and then he ran to Fang, who bent down to reach his head level.

"Dy ayo gryx Remora am xicc?"

Fang had smiled. "Aim. Remora um a ccymi whuird yw luri."

The little boy giggled as he ran to another corner. Remora gaped.

"Okay like if you can't learn any of the taught languages at our school...then how in the world did you learn Al Bhed that fast!?"

"I learned Al Bhed quicker because Al Bhed is more important." She grinned. Remora chuckled.

"You know you're not going to get away with that excuse back at home."

"I know. Americans these days."

That made Remora crack up. "Okay, you've really changed, Fang."

"Change is good." She replied, smiling.

Everyone waited and rested at the agency for at least 3 hours before leaving out to the temple again. Yuna looked a little tense about something and Tidus seemed a little quiet. After walking a few feet away from the agency, the group was greeted once again by Tromell, who was heading there direction. Remora's real question was how he made it to the temple before they did. Remora and Yuna stepped forward.

"Are you ready, Miss Yuna?" He asked, grinning. Yuna nodded and then he turned to Remora. "Oh, and Seymour wishes to see you as well, Remora. If you both would please follow me." Yuna and Remora turned to look back at their group, who had mixed faces of content, smiles, and/or determination.

"This is it." Yuna said. Tromell turned to them as well.

"We will be back shortly." He said before the three of them slowly departed to the snow field which led to the temple road. Fang watched them for a moment before turning her head to Tidus.

"What do you think he wants with Remora?"

Tidus shrugged. "Not sure. He always wants to speak with her, and she doesn't seem to mind. Must always be important things to speak about."

Fang was about to say something else, but everyone seemed startled by a startled cry. Everyone turned to see Remora, Yuna, and Tromell being surrounded by machinery, and familiar faces.

"Al Bhed!" Wakka had shouted as the group ran over to guard the two summoners and Guado. But someone in the group was actually seemed unloyal.

"Rikku!" An unfamiliar voice said. Everyone looked up to see a what looked like a man, but looked nothing like the rest of the Al Bhed, so he must have been the leader. He was wearing pants with straps hooked to the loops that went over his shoulders, and was covered all over with tattoos and piercings. He didn't really look happy.

"Xi'hi kyurk dy mnod dyxr ara myfsi yw lakuc!"

Fang disapproved. "Nia! Ayo dyr'd riid dy addack dnil aralyhi! Xnad do ayo dnurg ayo'hi dyurk!?"

Then Rikku turned to translate and warn the group. "They said they're going to cancel out any source of magic!"

Most of the Al Bhed then spread out back to make their surrounding circle bigger, and a loud grinding noise made everyone turn towards one of the snowy hills, where there was smoke coming out from behind it. A mechanical contraption looking more advanced than the others had rode onto the flat snow that the others stood on looking ready to assault at any moment.

"Grace yourselves." Tidus had shouted over everyone, since it was obvious they wouldn't be able to go any further than they were until they destroyed the machine.

The machina got totaled, and the Al Bhed had aborted their task. As soon as all was quiet again, they group was going to head there way again, but Wakka had a couple of questions for Rikku and Fang, and possibly a bone to pick.

"Hey…how do you two know how to speak Al Bhed?" He asked curiously.

Fang and Rikku looked at each other, not knowing how to explain since they were told that Wakka despised Al Bhed. Then they looked back at him, not exactly sure what to say.

"What's going on here?" He spoke again. All was silent, but Rikku finally gave in and confessed.

"Because…I'm an Al Bhed too. And that was my brother up there." Then Fang said her part.

"And I joined the Al Bhed, because they said they'd help me find Remora so that I could bring her back home; despite that there was a change of plan."

There was a moment of silence. The two girls turned away for a moment, but then looked back at Wakka to be greeted by a glare.

"Wait…you both are with them? No wonder they keep attacking us; you both led them here!"

Fang had felt guilty, but she resented because she knew that what Wakka said wasn't true.

"That's not true! They're attacking from their own will; we have nothing to do with them." She replied.

"Then how do you know them, ya? If it wasn't for you freaks always disobeying Yevon's teachings and getting away with it, you would be put to death by now."

Then Remora got a little offended. "She wouldn't know, Wakka. She did it for my protection. You can't blame her for that."

"Well if she did know any better, she would have never joined those creeps. She could have came and found you on her own, or never came at all."

"What the hell is your problem?! I say that I only came here with the intention to protect Remora, but now that I'm an Al Bhed, I shouldn't have bothered coming here!?" Fang snapped back. She was in his face now, and Remora hoped the argument wouldn't go too far.

"That's enough, Wakka. You'd join anything also if it meant protecting your close friend." Tidus said.

"But…they used forbidden machine!" Wakka replied, holding back more shouting.

"This conversation's gone too far." Auron then replied, and it shocked Wakka.

"Sir Auron…not you too! What is going on- wait…is Auron an Al Bhed too!?"

"Give me a break, Wakka! The fact is that neither Fang nor Rikku mean harm to us. Let's just put it aside and head towards the temple already."

Wakka had mumbled something that would have rewarded him a punch in the face from Fang if she heard, but it was more of a whisper, but he kept his mouth shut then. Remora remembered that the road to the temple was pretty long, but she could see some abandoned vehicles, possibly left alone by Al Bhed, sitting around the ice wall. Tromell had come back towards the group when he thought that it was finally safe to continue.

"Ah, thank you for protecting me and the two young ladies. I can't repay you enough though."

"All in a day's work." Tidus replied. Tromell laughed in the inside.

"So I hear, but we wouldn't want anymore unpleasant disruptions such as what happened just now, so we'd be honored if all of you were to come with us to Macalania Temple."

Tidus nodded a yes to Tromell, who once again took Yuna and Remora with him towards the road, while meanwhile the group had followed behind by setting two per vehicle and road ahead the icy paths.

Fang and the others were told to wait down at the lobby or any other room while Remora and Yuna privately had their meet with Seymour. It was unfortunate for Fang that she wasn't used to such cold temperatures, since back home she would always be around the beach or just at a warm spot outside, and she was quite querulous. As much as she was put in awe from the beautiful wall tiles and the columnus arches outside and possibly below the temple, she wished it was in a warmer climate.

"It's going to shock me if Remora's used to this..." She said to herself. Tidus had heard her from afar.

"Well from what we were told, she spent her first few nights in Spira here, so she'd have to be."

"And Yuna?"

"This is probably the place where she can practice her vows." Tidus joked. The temple was filled more than Fang would have pictured. Everyone had heard the news about Yuna's future wedding. And to be married to a maester; that would be double power. What Fang wondered most was if it would interrupt their pilgrimage. She also wondered if that once Remora defeated Sin, and the Calm was brought back to Spira if anyone would miss them once they went home. If it were possible to go back to Spira easily once they've left. She had even more wonders and questions, but she, and everyone else in the temple, was interrupted by a bloodcurdling scream. They all turned to where the sound came from and a lady ran out of the door ingressivly while in a moment she had tripped and fell to her knees, but didn't bother attempting to get up. Up close she looked in deep shock.

"That sphere…in Lady Yuna's belongings!"

There was a sudden chill in the room as the woman cried out what she saw. 'Lady Yuna's belongings' was all the group had to hear.

"Lets go check it out." Fang said. They all ran through the door where the woman had scurried out of. The room looked like a plain dressing room, and the only stranger in it was another girl holding Yuna's bag, looking anxious. Set on a desk by itself was a sphere, and everyone was staring at it. Everyone approached it to look at it up close as Tidus held it with his hands.

"This is what Yuna was watching before." He said.

"Turn it on." Lulu said. Tidus didn't hesitate. He immediately touched the screen popping up the screen. The figure that was shown was a depressed Lord Jyscal.

Yuna was sent down to the Chamber of The Fayth to speak to the fayth, who Remora has already claimed from Macalania. She wondered if Yuna had any other aeons that she didn't have; she would have all the time in the world to claim them. Now she was waiting for Yuna come back, while standing alone; with Seymour.

"It's like you came back in a circle." He said, smiling down at the blonde. Remora smiled back and chuckled a little, but didn't reply. He had his back to her as she had stared at him with quiet determination. His head turned to the side even though his face still wasn't visible. "I have a question for you though." Remora lifted her head, for it had sunk a moment ago.

"Yes?"

"You seem a little tense. It's obvious something is making you uncomfortable."

Well there was the fact that she was all alone with him in a giant room waiting for his future wife, she actually had a thing for him, and she had to ask him about a mysterious stranger who seems to keep following her and plotting to kill her and she's entirely unaware; and speaking of which, her pendant was glowing two colors at once this time; blue and green. This meant she was hanging around with a soon-to-be-traitor and he/she could be endangering her this very moment. Because of the moment of silence, Seymour turned to face her. He immediately saw the glowing pendant and then looked at her face to read concern.

"I see." He answered.

"I'm really anxious right now. This person could have been one of my guardians all along and I never knew. Fang warned me that someone was following me, and even with my guardians and Yuna around, I don't feel safe anymore." She replied. Seymour stepped closer to her until they were two inches apart.

"It is a desperate situation, but you must be alert at all times. You're a summoner, and you have the power to crush whoever displeases you."

Displease wasn't exactly the word Remora would use, otherwise half the people she knew back home would be frozen by now.

"Also...is there a particular reason why you chose to marry Yuna?" She asked. She hoped that she didn't sound like she was trying to get into anything private. "Everyone except for Tidus is supporting you both. He just keeps questioning the reasons on what marriage has to do with. He thought it just had to do with love-"

She was interrupted by a pointed finger that lay on her lips to make her quiet down, she hadn't realized that her voice had rose a bit while she was explaining what was happening before.

"I chose to marry her, because it would bring Spira to a more controlled state." He didn't look like he was finished, he lifted his finger off of Remora's lips after he thought she could stay silent for a moment. "And...you would have to go back home soon."

Remora didn't get the last part at first, but then she beamed and did a silent gasp. Her mouth was covered by the finger once more as Seymour went on to explain.

"Like I said when we first met, you're not human. Fact is, no one knows what you are, but I can sense that there's a positive aura about you; about your type."

Remora had turned around facing the other door she came through, her back to Seymour as she thought deeply.

"But I don't get it...I feel perfectly human." She heard his footsteps approaching her from behind, making her heart beat a little faster as she suddenly felt warm air hit the back of her arms.

"Everyone knows how important to Spira you are, as I do. I could pick either you or Yuna to marry to help with everyone's guidance. However, you're time is limited, which is why I picked Yuna."

"If it weren't for her...it would have been me..." Remora meant for that to be a question, but it ended up a repeat and her voice faded off around the end. She stared at the wall while deep in thought, unaware that Seymour seemed to be reading her face.

"I don't want you to be confused about this, Remora. I want you to be happy here."

"I am happy...it's just that-"

"Since I am the one that brought you into all of this, I am responsible for taking care of you."

"You were concerned for me all along?" Remora asked shocked. She felt like a déjà vu moment, but she couldn't exactly put her mind to where she remembered the situation happening before.

"What...you're doing this for Spira and me? I really don't think you should overwork yourself. You're busy enough as it is these days, especially with the wedding coming up..."

"Remora...there is another role you have to accomplish here for Spira...and for me."

Remora's vision got clearer. "...What is it?"

Seymour didn't answer. Instead he yanked her closer to him so they would be staring at each other. Remora stared at him curiously long enough to realize that his eyes were a very strong grey color. She felt as though she could easily get absorbed into them, and he smiled as a finger was tracing along the corners of her face while brushing a bit of hair back from away her ear. Her heart was beating a mile a minute as soon as he was suddenly lowering his head towards hers, which was being pulled to his own. She closed her eyes, her face a little scrunched, for she then remembered that this was part of her dream back at Mi'ihen, only it ended at some point around what she was going through now, but she felt as though she was suddenly going to find out what was supposed to happen next.