So, where to begin with my little introduction.
This is the first piece of writing I've ever done. Seriously, first ever.
But I've always dreamed of writing a story where the POV's switch between he main characters. I'll be sure to indicate who's POV I'm writing in at the beginning of each chapter, and I won't change it mid-chapter to prevent any confusion.
The title is referring to the aftermath of what happens at the camp, in this prologue. This story is not related to the storyline of the game (which I must say, I loved so much), just something I came up while insomnia took over.
With that, I hope you enjoy this, and thanks for taking your time to read it :D
Prologue
[Lightning's POV]
Lightning had walked into the recruitment camp, ready to face anything that was coming. She couldn't help feeling guilty for leaving Serah, but she had Snow to protect her. As much as she hated to admit it, Snow was good at protecting Serah, and keeping her happy. Still, she couldn't bear the guilt of having walked out on Serah when she had announced their engagement, and decided to join the militia.
She felt she was fulfilling her duty as Serah's guardian, protecting her, while also helping the other citizens of Cocoon, although she particularly hated most people.
She checked into the reception desk, and presented her badge she had received in the mail after her acceptance into the camp. Her flawless resume had been examined over and over again, and finally after almost 3 months of waiting, received her congratulatory letter of acceptance and that badge.
"Mhm, Farron, Claire, you are?" The receptionist didn't look up from her papers, but merely continued to fill them out.
"Uhh, yes, ma'am." Lightning spoke firmly, although inside, she felt she could collapse at any moment. She didn't know why, she had never felt pressure like this before. She had been working for the past five years, serving as an undercover detective in some of the most dangerous cases the force had been called on, sometimes hiding merely a pistol as her only firearm.
The receptionist spoke again. "Mmm, quite the impressive resume you've got. I doubt you even need any training here, but sadly, it's mandatory if you want to join these ranks."
Lightning's mood lifted greatly. "Umm, thank you, ma'am. I'm flattered. "
The receptionist finally looked up from the papers she had been fiercely filling out, and handed them to Lightning. "Here you go, Ms. Farron. The army could definitely do with someone like you right now. Welcome aboard, I'm sure you'll have no trouble here." The receptionist gave Lightning an encouraging smile, and shooed her away quickly. Picking up her bags, Lightning had advanced towards the barracks to find herself a nice bunk. She had heard only fragments of the person who had been waiting behind her, as they had talked to the receptionist the same way she just had.
"Mmm, Oerba Yun Fang? Could you pronounce that for me?"
The woman who had been talking to the receptionist spoke swiftly. "Oerba. It sounds like 'Air-bah' Oerba Yun Fang."
"Ahh, I see, thank you. You have quite the accent, where are you from?"
"I'm from Gran Pulse."
She had spoken so strongly, Lightning thought the woman had to be fibbing. Gran Pulse? That world was destroyed. No one survived. So how could this woman have ended up on Cocoon?
The receptionist had clearly thought the same, Lightning had heard her pen drop. "Did you say Gran Pulse?"
"Yup. Gran Pulse. Fang of the Yun clan, from the village of Oerba."
Lightning couldn't stand to hear another word of this conversation, and carried herself onwards, towards her awaiting bunk, whichever it may be.
-ELAPSED TIME: APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS-
The time that had passed seemed so quick, Lightning had barely noticed how near the entry examination was. She was confident, though. She was placed third best out of all the new recruits that had come in. One thing that still bugged her though, was Fang.
Sure, her and Fang had become great friends over the six-month span, almost inseparable. They both possessed superior skill over most of the other recruits. Fang has placed first in the ranks, and therefore, there were several people who wanted her gone from the camp. But she still hadn't figured how Fang was even alive after Pulse's destruction.
The morning of the entry exam came quickly, and everyone in the camp was letting their concern show. Fang and Lightning were walking through the crowd, clearly showing that they were prepared for this. Most people casted angry looks at Fang, but she just shrugged them off.
"Ehh, I'm used to this kinda stuff. I get these looks every time some hears I'm from Pulse." Fang was retorting loudly, making sure everyone in earshot could hear her clearly. Lightning was merely walking, careful not to let her near-carelessness show too much. She didn't want the others to be envious and hateful of her as well, dealing with it for Fang was more than enough.
They had walked passed a group of recruits huddled close together, sniggering and cheering towards each other. Lightning had stopped walking, hoping Fang would halt as well.
"Light, what's up? Got somethin' on ya mind?" Fang could see the quizzical look on her face.
Umm, yeah, actually, I do. I was just wondering, if you don't mind me asking, how did you survive the war on Pulse?" Lightning felt she was invading Fang's space, but it had been bugging her too much. Fang let out a loud, confident chuckle.
"Ahh, I was wonderin' how long it was gonna take you to ask that. See, my mom had heard all the rumors of civil war and destruction and this and that. She packed up everything we owned and brought my sister Vanille, my cousin Amanda, and I to Cocoon when we were young. I was ten, I think, which would have made Vanille four, and Amanda seven. A few years ago, Mom passed away. It was my 20th birthday. Amanda was old enough to take care of herself, but I still had to care for Vanille who was barely fourteen then. Now they're the only family I've got left. Now, how's that for a story, eh?"
Fang began walking again. Lightning was satisfied enough with the story, and followed close behind her, catching up quickly. They neared the bunk house, eventually entering, and any joyous emotion that had been present disintegrated.
Fang's equipment was scattered. Her uniforms were torn, her first aid kit smashed, and her prized lance was in 6 or 7 pieces, scattered on the floor.
There was silence.
"Fang, I'm so sorry." It was all Lightning could muster up. Then it occurred to her. That group of huddled recruits, laughing and cheering. She had recognized them. They often taunted Fang, clearly jealous of her strength and skill. They had to have been the culprits. Lightning exploded.
'Those...damn...KIDS." Lightning stormed out, leaving Fang to pick up the broken remains of her weapon. She ran through the camp, trying to remember where they had been when passing those kids. Her search ended quickly, she had darted through the entire camp in almost ten minutes looking for them, but they were nowhere to be found.
She took herself back to the bunk house to find that Fang had left the room, and her sabotaged belongings piled neatly on her bad. She politely seated herself next to her companion's things, slightly rummaging through them and evaluating the damage. There was no way Fang would be able to compete today with her things like this. She could only hope that since Fang was ranked the highest throughout the entire camp, the commander would have a little bit of sympathy for her. She waited, for almost a half an hour, silently, waiting for Fang's return. She had almost dozed off out of boredom, when she finally heard her return.
"Fang?" She began her question, but Fang abruptly cut her off.
"Light, they're not lettin' me compete today. All this fuckin' hard work for nothin'." Fang angrily grabbed her things and thrust them into the suitcase she had thrown under her bed 6 months prior. "I'm leavin'. Goin' back home."
"Fang…you're not serious.." Lightning let her head fall.
"Light, they're not lettin' me stay. Don't have proof it was those fuckin' kids, so they can't be blamed. Just goin' home."
"But, Fang—I thought you left because—"
"I know, Light. I guess I'll have to go stay with Vanille." Fang sighed, as if trying to blow all the problems away. "How pathetic is that? I have to go stay with my little sister. " Her voice was sad now. "I'm such a fucking burden, it seems."
"Fang, you're not a burden. If you want, you can stay with me. I'm not going into the army without you, it's just not right." Lightning tried giving Fang an honest, reassuring smile. But it fell to be just an odd look.
"Light, I couldn't. I don't even have a job—"
"Fang, it doesn't matter. We'll find you a job. Honestly, I want you to stay with me. Being alone so often… it really sucks sometimes."
Fang looked at her, almost trying to figure out something.
"Light, are you…serious?"
"Fang, yeah. I'm definitely serious." Lightning pulled another smile, succeeding this time.
Fang laughed skeptically, zipping up the suitcase.
"Lightning, thank you. So much."
They left the barracks, making their way to the main gate to turn in their badges and resign.
Please don't be angry at me for creating new characters and adding them in, I feel all these story with the same characters get quite boring D:
Anyways, I hope you enjoyed it and continue reading on!
Your reviews are GREATLY appreciated so I know if my writing is enjoyable or garbage!
:D