The whole stadium was in a panic, everypony fleeing for their lives as fiends had somehow wound up in Luca and began to attack. In the sphere, the Goers and the Aurochs, aside from Rainbow Dash and Applejack, swam away from the aquatic fish fiends the pegasus had encountered back in those ruins. They may be experienced in beating other players to snag the blitzball, but against fiends, they were defenseless.

Lightning Dust tried to swim away, but was surrounded by the several dozen fiends. Before she was about to become fish food, Rainbow swam in, slashing through some of them, diverting their attention to her instead. Glaring at the rival pegasus, she pointed her hoof out of the sphere, telling her to get out before she gets killed. As much as she hated Lightning for smacking her upside the head like that and her egotistical arrogance, she didn't want to see anypony else get killed.

Applejack helped distract the fiends, helping her teammates and the rest of the Luca Goers escape the sphere. Even if she was badly hurt from the game, she still had enough steam to take down some fiends. Both mares began to kill off the waves of fiends until there didn't seem to be anymore of them left inside. Applejack caught Rainbow's attention, pointing up to meet up with Fluttershy, Twilight, and Spike and maybe try to stop this sudden invasion before lives are lost.

Rarity looked out at the chaos ensuing in the stadium, calmly sipping at her wine as ponies behind her screamed in terror as they tried escape from the fiends. One of the fiends walked up the stairs, a giant heavy scaled reptile, breathing out orange flames from its maw. It eyed the white unicorn, finding it easy prey as the mare stood there. Hearing its growl, she turned her head toward it, slowly walking away from the railing as she downed the rest of her beverage.

Licking her lips, she held her glass out toward the fiend, her horn glowing brightly as her blue aura engulfed her glass. As she smirked, it took the shape of her diamond katana, the blade shooting out into the ground as it took its form. The unicorn flipped her curly mane back, lifted her sword up over her should, and stomped a hoof down, causing the ground to crack under her hidden strength to scare the fiend into underestimating her.

It didn't deter the lizard as it slowly lunged for her. Grabbing her blade with her hoof, she slashed right through it as it ran past her, collapsing to the ground as it released a weak roar as it died. After easily killing the fiend, Rarity fixed her mane and began to head around to the other side of the stadium. Rainbow Dash and Applejack ran up the steps, both of them spotting the white unicorn.

"Rarity!" Rainbow shouted, catching her attention.

"Lady Rarity! Ah can't believe ya'll are here!" Applejack said, making Rainbow look at the earth pony in shock, her suspicions of the unicorn's actual life were indeed true.

"So you guys do know her." They soon heard the screech of a Garuda as it saw the three mares, hovering near the railing as it attacked them. "Oh come on! One of these things again!"

"I suggest we catch up on lost time after this predicament has been dealt with." Rainbow and Applejack took out their weapons as they decided it was better to talk once the fiends were dealt with.

Applejack blinded the avian fiend using Dark Attack, easily avoiding its beak as it tried to peck them. It took a while to defeat the Garuda, far more powerful than the ones the others have encountered back in Besaid, but it was easy to defeat constantly blinding it and missing them. As soon as it was slain, another flew down and several other fiends surrounded them.

"Ok, how many of these things got in here!?" Rainbow questioned, avoiding one of the lizard fiends.

Down in the VIP section of the stadium, Star Swirl and Blueblood stood calmly as the fiends invaded. The Guado stepped up to the railing and gave the prayer bow. As he bowed, a dark void appeared from the sky, shooting down a chained hook, slamming into the ground to create another larger void. The hook began to rise up, lifting something up from inside it. Rainbow managed to catch sight of what was happening, gasping in horror at the monstrous creature being risen up, almost like it was coming up from Tarterus itself.

The creature was almost like a horrific looking undead being, only having half of its body risen up from the void, the hook slipping off its bandaged face as it gave out a demonic roar. The only thing visible on the creature's face was one of its eyes and its mouth filled with sharp fangs. Most of its body was tied in chains, constricting its clawed forelegs to its chest. It looked terrifying, but for some reason, Rainbow Dash thought it was sad, depressed even.

It began to roar as its eye began glowing, incredible power forming in it. Suddenly, its head whipped back from the sudden force, almost breaking its neck as a beam of energy shot out, hitting the Garuda blocking the trio, obliterating it into smithereens. It fired more out into the stadium, killing off the rest of the fiends, saving everypony from getting killed. All the while, Blueblood stood behind his summoned beast, grinning as he watched the lights floating out and around the stadium. Eventually, the chaos had finally subsided, the last of the fiends slain by the massive beast as it roared, everypony staring in awe as the Guado maester had rescued them all from the invasion.

A few hours passed after the fiends had been dealt with, everypony in Luca having calmed down after the chaotically random invasion. Waiting on the balcony near the start of the road where Fluttershy and her guardians must travel down to reach the next temple, the young summoner, lavender unicorn mage, and purple and green dragon waited as they watched Applejack down in the city, saying her goodbyes to the Aurochs, giving them the cup they had won.

She headed up the steps and met up with the waiting group. "Sorry for the wait, ya'll. Time to be a full-time guardian now." Applejack rubbed her shoulder, trying to ignore the pain constantly bugging her from the last few hours. "So, any idea what exactly happened?"

"Nopony knows," Twilight said. "The fiends came out of nowhere. Thank goodness Maester Blueblood summoned that aeon, saving all of us and Maester Star Swirl."

"It was so strong," Fluttershy whispered. "But...it felt so...miserable..."

Rainbow slammed Rarity into the wall of the stadium at the fifth dock, having searched all over for the unicorn as she disappeared on her after the chaos settled down. The unicorn didn't even flinch as her back hit the wall, staring at the ticked off pegasus through her sunglasses with a smirk on her face.

"This is all your fault, Rarity!" Rainbow shouted, clutching the collar of the older mare's clothing. "Getting swallowed up by Sin, winding up in Spira, unable to go back to Zanarkand, EVERYTHING! It's all your fault! I hate you!" Rarity gave an unladylike snort and began to laugh, only angering Rainbow Dash further. "What they hay is so funny!? I should kill you right now!"

"S-Sorry, darling," Rarity said, calming herself. "I thought the first pony you would ever say that to would be your father."

The irate pegasus backed away, unable to look the unicorn in the eyes. "This is impossible. How the hay is it possible for you to be in two different time periods!? You know my dad and Fluttershy's, yet you somehow found a way to go back in time! It makes no sense!"

"I was asked by your father to look after you, by his own words." Rainbow grunted, turning away from Rarity and pouted. "He wanted me to bring you to Spira."

"Oh great," Rainbow scoffed. "That old codger still lives, and he has to ruin my life even further in a future a thousand years from my time just to infuriate me even more! PERFECT!"

"That depends on what you mean by 'alive', Rainbow." She turned around, Rarity slowly approaching her with a serious look in her eyes. "You must have felt something when you were near Sin, right? Something familiar? A burning hatred for somepony you despised ever since you came out of your mother's womb?"

Confused, Rainbow tried to figure out Rarity's cryptic questioning. It took a moment for her to realize what she meant, her eyes widening in shock. She remembered, after being sucked into Sin in Zanarkand, she saw Jet Stream and actually heard his voice speaking out to her. And the moments where Sin had attacked her in Spira, there was a faint glimmer of anger that welled up in her subconsciously, as if she really wanted to loathe Sin more than just as a chaotic fiend that destroys everything it comes in contact with.

She backed away from Rarity, completely horrified as her guess was actually right. "...Y-You can't be serious...You're joking..."

"It's true, Rainbow Dash," Rarity said. "Sin is your father, Jet Stream." Rainbow looked down at the ground, her forelegs trembling, unable to believe that Sin really was her father. "If you wish to know everything, then you should come with me."

"...If I say no?" Rainbow asked, her voice quivering as she was close to blowing up for a second time this week.

"Every story has to have an ending." Rainbow stomped her hooves, glaring intensely at Rarity as her anger reached a boiling point.

"Screw you and your stories!" she shouted. "I'm not going to believe a word you say! You pretty much lied to me about your whole life for the past ten years, and I'm sick and tired of living in this future! I just want to go back home!"

"Fine then, act like a three-year-old throwing a temper tantrum," Rarity said with a lack of sympathy for the pegasus. "Stay here for all I care. It's your decision."

Rainbow Dash yelled in frustration, getting in Rarity's face. "Is it really my decision!? I don't have a choice to say in the matter! I have no idea what to do, which means I HAVE to come with you by force! How is it my decision when everypony keeps holding my hoof and treating me like a stupid little kid!?"

Rainbow turned away and sulked, breathing heavily. "Are you really irritated?...Or are you just afraid to be on your own?" The pegasus's ears drooped. She didn't want to admit to Rarity that she was actually afraid to be by herself, having no clue what to do on her own. She barely made it out alive in that old temple when she wound up in Spira. She flinched as she felt Rarity gently lay a hoof on her shoulder. "It's ok. I know your frustrated right now, but everything will make sense in due time."

"...Rarity? Will I ever go home again?" Rainbow asked, pleading for the possibility.

"That's up to your father," she replied. Rarity's answer didn't help lift the pegasus's spirits up. "Come. I'm going to offer my services to Fluttershy. You as well. Oh, and keep this between us. We don't want the others to know we're 'crazy' or suffering from Sin's toxin."

Rarity headed down the docks and out toward the city, Rainbow trudging along after her. So many things went through the pegasus's head: anger toward her father, shock at figuring out he was still alive AND was Sin, confused as to how it even happened, greatly frustrated at the lack of answers, and upset at her terrible luck this past week. Even after her father was assumed dead, he's now making her life even more worse and is trying to kill her.

After passing by the locals and blitzball fans, all grateful to be saved by the new Guado maester, they made it to where the group was waiting, Applejack and Twilight bowing to the greatest guardian in history. "Rarity!" Fluttershy ran up to the mare, pulling her into a hug as the unicorn hugged her back.

"You've really grown up since I last saw you, Fluttershy." They pulled away as Rarity got a better look at the young summoner. "We'll have to catch up on lost time. And a perfect opportunity, too. I want to be your guardian, darling."

Applejack's and Twilight's jaws dropped, surprised at the honor of being graced by one of Kindred Heart's guardians. "Of course! I accept!"

"Splendid. Also-" Rarity drags Rainbow Dash forward with her magic, putting the mare on the spot. "-she comes along with us."

"What!?" Twilight yelled. She approached the older guardian nervously, chuckling sheepishly, not wanting to say anything wrong in front of her. "F-Forgive me, Lady Rarity, but, Rainbow Dash? Joining us?"

"Yes. As a guardian." Mog and Smarty Pants fell off the unicorn mage's back, Twilight absolutely stunned at the response.

"...B-But, you have no idea how many rules she had broken in the past week at the temples!" she shouted. "Two separate ocassions, she went through the Cloister of Trials, not a guardian, and could have gotten Fluttershy's status as a summoner revoked!"

"Well, you should also know some rules are meant to be broken." Everyone could hear Twilight's mind shatter like broken glass as she stared at Rarity in utter shock. Mog and Smarty Pants climbed on the lavender unicorn's back, completely frozen solid as they poked her awake. "Besides, I promised both Jet Stream and Kindred Heart I would watch over both their daughters for them."

"Is Sir Jet still alive?" Fluttershy asked.

"I haven't seen him in ten years. We'll probably meet him at some point." The summoner grinned, hoping to see him again. "So, where are we heading to next?"

As Rarity spoke with Applejack, Twilight too stunned to even express any words at the blasphemous words the experienced guardian said, she noticed that Spike was occasionally glancing her way. When she turned to look at him, he would look elsewhere, his expression still stoic though his cheeks were slightly tinged red. As the guardians talked, Fluttershy approached Rainbow Dash near the railing overlooking Luca, noticing she was a bit depressed.

"Rainbow Dash?" She didn't move, her eyes glued to the city as she stared out in the distance. She managed to catch her attention, whistling loudly the same way Rainbow did. "Look. I did it."

"...Great. Happy for you," she mumbled.

"You don't sound happy. You want to scream again?" Rainbow shook her head, no amount of screaming would help calm her. They were both quiet, looking out at the city. "...You know, I always think that summoners and their guardians are a ray of hope for Spira, everypony depending on us to complete our pilgrimage, no matter what comes our way. I sometimes practice smiling if I'm sad."

"Pretty ridiculous to do," the cyan pegasus uttered.

Her head was suddenly grabbed by Fluttershy's hooves, turning to face her. "Let's see what you can do."

"Wait, are you serious?" Fluttershy nodded her head, dead serious. Knowing she was probably going to bug her about this, she went along with it. Rainbow gave an awkward, toothy smile, pulling her cheeks back when she was losing it. She began to giggle, looking so weird trying to be happy when she wants to be upset. "This is the strangest thing I've ever done."

"Now try laughing out loud." Rainbow gave her an odd look, but again, she was being serious.

Sighing in defeat, she looked out to the city, taking in a deep breath. " AHH HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!" Rainbow laughed awkwardly, catching the others attention as they all stared at the pegasus. "Ahh...AHH HA HA HA HA HA!"

"Umm, ok, I think that's enough laughing," Fluttershy said, but her words fell on deaf ears.

She wanted her to laugh, she'll do it as much as she wants until she had enough. "AHH HA HA HA HA HA HA! AHH HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!"

Fluttershy began to giggle, deciding to join Rainbow Dash as she took in a deep breath. "HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!" they both sarcastically laughed, until they both began to snort in real laughter.

They couldn't hold it in any longer and laughed as hard as they ever had. Rainbow ended up falling on her back, clutching her ribs as tears ran down her cheeks in hilarious agony. The pegasi could barely breathe, probably looking like a bunch of goofballs if anypony else had seen and heard them.

"I-I can't breathe!" Fluttershy gasped, trying to regain the lost oxygen in her lungs as Rainbow grabbed the railing to lift her back up and support her.

"It was your idea!" Eventually, their laughter subsided, turning to stifling giggles as they calmed down. "A weird, strangely dumb idea that somehow worked..."

"Rainbow?" The cyan pegasus looked at her. "Thank you."

"...What?" she asked.

"I want my journey...to be full of laughter...and happiness." Fluttershy ran a hoof through her hair in bashfulness, looking at her new guardian. "And, if we're ever seperated...just whistle. Right?"

"...Yeah. And...thanks for cheering me up. I kinda needed that." The summoner nodded, glad to have helped, even if it was awkward. "Alright. Let's get going." The two turned to the others, noticing the odd stares coming from them. "...Uhh, why are you looking at us like that?"

"...You see, Lady Rarity, this is why it's not a good idea for Rainbow Dash to be a guardian," Twilight said, after recovering from her shock. "Her head's too messed that it's actually made her lose her mind, and its contagious because Fluttershy began laughing with her!"

"Oh come on. Blaming me again!?" Rainbow complained. "Blame Fluttershy! It was all her idea!" She heard the summoner pegasus giggle, turning her head to the mare. "Did you set me up so Twilight can yell at me some more?"

"No," she admitted. "Sorry, Rainbow, but I did warn you earlier to stop." Rainbow Dash groaned, wishing she did stop. "Now, it's time to head of to the temple of Djose. Don't forget to smile, everypony." Next Chapter: Chapter 17: Mi'ihen Highroad: Duels and Chocobos Estimated time remaining: 9 Hours, 47 Minutes