Prologue

Cocoon fell in 500 AF, but Bhunivelze soon rose after, and both the future and humanity were saved. Times of peace continued, and the heroes that had worked feverishly to to shape the future relaxed. Lightning returned from Valhalla, and was greeted joyously by her sister. They were both happy that they could be together once more. Lightning promised her that she would never leave again.

Hope, too, was overjoyed to finally see Lightning safe and sound again. His long search and desire to bring her back to them was over. At first it seemed like they would go their separate ways, for Hope continued to direct the Academy, while Lightning returned to the Guardian Corps. However, remembering the alternate time line in which Hope was killed inside Augusta Tower, she decided to devote herself as his personal bodyguard. She couldn't bear to see anyone close to her get hurt and unable to do anything about it.

At first, she assumed the role it just because he was an old friend and comrade, but as the two began to spend more time together and grew close once more, they developed a steady relationship. They kept it rather private, not wanting anyone to pry into their personal lives, but it became long term. Then, finally, he presented her with a silver engagement ring, with little diamonds designed in the shape of a lightning bolt.

They married in the spring of 503 AF, and had their twins two years later. A boy and a girl, as fate would have it. Both resembled their mother, with pink hair, however they did have their father's eyes. Ashling was the name given to the girl, while they named their son Rainstorm. Both of them would grow up to be strong, and want to follow in their mother's footsteps.

Their sister was born three years later, and resembled her father much more than her older siblings, for she had both his hair and eye color. Lightning decided to name her after her own dear little sister, and gave her "Faith" as her middle name.

Hope was overcome with joy from his marriage and growing family She wasn't sure if she had the patience for children, much less the right amount of time for them, but she and Hope had discussed it thoroughly before going through with it.

Serah on the other hand, set out on a search for Snow shortly after Bhunivelze rose and things seemed to quiet down. Noel tagged along, and Lightning helped when she could. However, he was never found. After months of searching and waiting for him, Serah finally accepted that he was probably stuck in another time, or in the Coliseum, and never coming back.

It was hard for her to move on, but eventually she tucked her engagement necklace away, and decided to carry on with her life. She went back to school to get her teaching degree, then, shortly afterwards, began teaching grade schoolers once more.

She had also grown close to Noel, for he had been there to comfort and support her when Snow wasn't around. A steady relationship soon formed, but unlike Lightning and Hope, they never got engaged and married. Still, they had a son in 515 AF. They named him Kristof, and he would grow to have a strong resemblance to his father, but he would always have his mother's eyes.

Unfortunately, that same year was when tragedy stuck upon them.

"I'll be back soon."

Lightning gave Hope a quick kiss before she left for patrol one night.

"Come back safe and sound."

"You know I will, Hope."

He watched her leave the house quietly, then he returned to his study to resume his work. It was late enough for the kids to be in bed, but because it was a weekend, he heard faint noises of a video game from Rain's room. It was typical of him, and since the father knew his son always kept the noise level down and would go to bed at a decent hour, so he let him be.

It was about an hour later when the phone rang. The sudden noise caused Hope to flinch a bit, and he wondered who would call at this hour. However, he knew it was most likely important, so he answered it.

"Estheim residence."

At first all he heard was soft sobbing, then two words that would change everything: "Serah's dead."

He felt his heart skip a beat as he took in Noel's words. He almost dropped the phone from shock.

"But how?"

"She had a vision, and it killed her. Something about Lightning."

"No…" Hope muttered, fearing for his wife's life now.

He heard Kristof start to cry in the background, and Noel immediately muttered that he had to go. As soon as he hung up, Hope dialed Lightning's cell phone immediately. He tapped his fingers impatiently on his desk as he waited for it to ring. But it never rang, all he got was a message that her number was disconnected or unavailable.

"No…"

His heart skipped a bit as he set the phone down and turned back to his computer. He started up a program he'd created years ago to search for paradox levels in the area. Naturally, he hadn't used it since the gates were closed. It took time for the program to connect to the Academy's database and scan the city, but he knew it would tell him what he needed to know. He just hoped he was wrong for once.

"No!"

He banged his fist on the table. The scan had finished, and the paradox levels were off the charts. Lightning had vanished once more.

Author's Notes

Ok here we go. First, I've been working on this fic since last June o_e

Second, this is actually a partner fic with xxClaireStrifexx on deviant art (which is why its taken so long) So Kristof is her OC, and is pretty much the reason why there's any NoelxSerah in this at all. SnowxSerah will be in here to, as well as some CloudxLightning. How that works? Well just wait and see is all I'll say XD

Rain, Ashling, and Faith are all my OCs, and thanks to both PSP Gamer Girl and PuppyNoelle betaing.