New Beginnings: An FF 13 Fanfiction
I do not own any of the characters in this story except my OC Cale. Copyright belongs to Square Enix and the creators of Final Fantasy.
A/N: This story begins a few weeks after the end of the game and then will jump forward a few years. It will begin with Lightning's POV then shift between my OC's and Lightning's POV's. I will insert a line to designate the shift.
Chapter 1
It had been a very busy last few weeks around the Farron household, busy with making preparations for Snow and Serah's wedding. Dresses and decorations had to be picked out, a location had to be decided on and invitations needed to be sent out, just to name a few of the things.
Serah and Snow offered to help Lightning put it together but she insisted that she wanted to do it herself, because she wanted everything to be perfect for her younger sister's big day. As such, the older Farron's stress level had been maxed out for a while now and she was beginning to feel the effects. She was mentally and physically exhausted and it showed.
"Are you alright sis?" asked a worried Serah.
"I'm fine."
"You don't look fine. You look exhausted. When was the last time you got a decent amount of sleep?"
"Define decent."
"At least 8 hours."
"Umm… Let's see. I get half of that every day."
"Lightning, you need to sleep more. It's dangerous for your health to keep going like this."
"I'll be fine. You just worry about the wedding. Once it's all over I'll be able to get all the sleep you want me to. The wedding is tomorrow. After that I'll be able to relax a little."
"Just don't push yourself to hard sis. I couldn't bear it if something happened to you."
"Don't worry about me Serah. I'm a big girl, I know my limits and I have yet to reach them. You forget I used to be a soldier, this is nothing. Now go get some sleep. You and Snow have a big day tomorrow."
"Thanks Sis, I appreciate all this. It means a lot to us." Serah gave her sister a hug and went up to her room, leaving Lightning alone.
"As much as I am loath to admit it, she is right. I'm completely drained. I can't wait for tomorrow to be over. I should try for a little sleep." thought Lightning as she headed for her room and collapsed into her bed.
The next morning dawned bright and clear. Lightning woke up early and went over to where the wedding was being held to finish up a few last minute items and make sure everything was ready to go.
When the time finally came, everything went off exactly like she had planned. The ceremony was beautiful.
"I can't believe myself for thinking this but those two actually look good together." thought Lightning as she watched. For a brief, very brief, instant a slight twinge of Jealousy floated through her mind but she dismissed it quickly. "I shouldn't be jealous. Serah is happy and that's all that matters."
After the wedding everyone moved over to the reception and mingled. Everyone except Lightning, who opted to stand against the wall of the reception hall and watch. As the music started up and the dancing started, a few of the male guests approached her and asked her to dance but she politely declined all of them. The last one that asked her was someone she recognized.
"Cale, is that you?"
"Glad to see you still remember me. It's been a while."
"Too long. I heard you quit the Guardian Corps, is that true?"
"Yeah. It was right after we were ordered to assist in the Purge. I disagreed with the orders and so, to avoid any trouble I resigned and went back home to Bohdum. I've been there ever since. Thanks for inviting me to the wedding, by the way."
"Sure. I'm glad you made it."
"I wouldn't of missed this for the world. You know, I'm kinda surprised though."
"About what, Cale?"
"I just thought that you'd be the first one married, not your sister."
"Yeah, well this is just the way it worked out. I'm just glad she's happy."
"What about you Lightning? Serah has Snow, but who do you have? What are you going to do now? Are you really happy being alone?"
"What are you talking about? I'm not alone."
"Think about it for a sec, do you really think they are going to live at home with you for the rest of their lives?"
"No, I suppose not."
"So I ask the question again, what are your plans now Lightning?"
"I don't honestly know. I haven't really thought about it." she was quiet for a moment. "What's it to you anyway? What's the big deal?"
"Sorry Lightning, I didn't mean to offend, I was just curious. I apologize."
"Apology accepted. Now was there something else?"
"Would you like to dance with me? I'd be honored if you would."
Lightning was quiet for a moment before replying then, much to Cale's surprise,
"Ok, just one"
The two head out to the dance floor and share a dance and afterwards Cale thanks her and lets her go.
After the reception everyone went home, including Lightning who gratefully collapsed into her bed. Before she dozed off, she thought to herself,
"What a nice night. I'm glad everything went well. I even got to meet up with Cale again." She thought about what Cale had asked her. "What am I going to do now?" She thought for a moment before deciding.
"I'll figure it out. I always have."
With that she fell into a deep, well deserved sleep.