Hey there everyone. This is my VERY FIRST Fanfiction. I have no prior experience writing anything past a college report. So Reviews would be amazing. I chose this pair because I just love them. Also this is one of my Favorite games. Note that if you haven't played FFXIII Lightning Returns, you will see some spoilers as this ties a bit into the main story line, and hints a bit at it, but not enough to draw from the whole game. Now with out further ado, I DO NOT OWN FINAL FANTASY OR LIGHTNING RETURNS OR SQUARE ENIX, as much as I wish I did. Now please enjoy.

Chapter 1: A moments Rest

Hope's PV

Light just returned from the surface, to offer up more Eradia to Yggdrasil. I was amazed at how time stays still while she was here in the Ark, and the dress that she just won from the tournament is gorgeous. I was busy tapping at the computer to get a read on potential souls for her to save as she just had finished prolonging the end till the very last day, until I felt a shiver tingle from the back of my spine. I know that I had felt this feeling before, and now I know why, it was her. It was Lightning, the woman that I fell in love with so many years ago, only to have taken from me by the Chaos. But she was here, only we were different, our human emotion was there but not the same way as when we were l'cie. To me that time was distant memory of someone else, but I know that it was me who lived through then. I knew that I was there with her through that ordeal, but it still feels that something is missing since Benivelzah brought me to the Ark. Thank God that time stands still in the Ark, because I want to talk to Light and see what she thinks.

Light? Can you come over here real quick?

Sure Hope, what's wrong?

I was just wondering do you still feel the way you did when we were l'cie?

What do you mean?

What I mean is. Do you feel emotions like you did when we went through that ordeal?

Yes, I do, but not the same way as before, it's like looking outside in and feeling like someone else.

Exactly! That's the same way I feel, it feels like something is missing!

Yes, but maybe that was done intentionally so we don't have these emotions to hold us from our goal.

Maybe, but what will you do, if God doesn't bring Serah back?

I'll use that same power he gave me and Kill him with it.

"Oh, is that so? I wonder if she can kill me if I am Hope."

Light, what if Benivelzah and I were the same?

Wait a minute, Hope what do you mean?

Never mind Light that's stupid forget I said anything.

No you tell me now.

Nah, it's not important just focus on the mission at hand, I doubt God will betray you.

Humph, fine.

"Hope, you are not supposed to interfere!"

"I want my body back!"

"In due time Hope, I will return it to you after I have my Goddess at my mercy."

"No you can't she will see through your lies!"

"Oh and how pray tell will she do that?"

"Our bond is special, she won't let you control her, we have been through so much together and only Serah and I can see into her soul."

"Oh you mean the soul that grew in the turmoil of the l'cie incident. You naive boy, I removed all of that from her when I woke her up. She is perfect now, and will become my Goddess Etro once again!"

"You can't be serious Benivelzah, she has fought Gods for a long time, and one more won't hurt her."

"You don't understand Hope, you and I will become One, and she will be at our beck and call because of that Love she has for you. All she has to do is pass the forbidden dungeon in the desert and absorb Etro's essence, and then she and Etro will be as you and I. one…"

"Wait, Light has Love for me?"

"Yes and that is the reason that you are to be my vessel. I need someone that Lightning loves more than anyone, even Serah, if you are me she will think twice."

"No, I won't let you!"

"Hahaha, sleep now boy, I'll need you ready, later."

Light's POV

What just happened? Hope asks me a question and usually he is pretty good at being straight forward. Man I wish I could tell Hope how much I love him. He has always had my back, always been there for me, even when I pushed him away, but he still would come back to me. I wish I knew what he meant by that comment. Him and God the same? That's not possible. Wait, maybe it is, at one point in time I was one with Etro, as the warrior goddess, in Valhalla. Maybe that is what he meant when he said that he and God could be one. Ah that's dumb, Hope is just a wait, He has been around for at least 700 years, he was out of crystal after the fall of Cocoon, and then afterwards he aged to at least 21, but here he is in the Ark in his adolescent form. What could God be planning? It is true that this was the form that initially fell in Love with, even though it was wrong to do so, I still did. I don't know he feels the same way maybe I'll ask him. Or maybe I should just go back to the surface and save some more souls. Maybe when I return I will let him know how I feel.

Light are you ready to return to the surface?

Yeah, Hope when I return there is something important that I need to tell you.

Ok Light, when you return we will talk.

Thanks Hope.

Entering the teleportation device Lightning transported back to Nova Christalia. To resume her continued mission of soul saving. This time she was transported to Yusannan's champion's quarter where her next soul to be saved was unknowingly waiting in the arena.

Hey Savior Lady, did you return today for more fighting?

No, I came here because I heard from my sources that there is someone in need in the arena.

That is true, but I doubt there is anything you can do to help her.

What do you mean?

Well you see, the girl signed up to fight in the arena after seeing you take down that last monster last night. But now she is trapped because of a Zaltys, which has her pinned against the wall.

Ok just let me in, I know what I need to do.

No can do, savior, this is what she signed up for.

But she signed up because she saw me!

Oh she signed up for other reasons.

Like what?!

It doesn't matter I can't let you in either way.

Fine then I'll find another way inside.

"Light I think I know of a way that you can get inside"
"Great Hope, just make it fast, a girl's life is on the line"

"So what you need to do is go to the path that leads to the Gluttons Quarter, there you will find a hidden path on the left side that will lead to a tunnel to get into the arena."

"Ok, hope this works."

Lightning stepped into secret passage and followed it into the arena.

As she entered the arena she could hear the crowd roaring at the display of the monster in the arena and its willing prey. Slaughterhouse Zoe was there to comment on the devastating events that were unfolding.

"It looks like this challenger is going to be this monsters next meal. Will she be able to turn the tables or will this really be the end of her."

Lightning heard these words as she crept closer to the inside of the ring. Until she could hear the roar of the monster Zaltys, just as it raised its claw for the final strike, she threw a runiga spell at its tail to distract it. The monster flipped itself around in order to combat its new foe. Lightning taking her cue, steadied her blade and lunged at the beast. With fire burning through its mouth the best took ready, and let out its fiery rage. Lightning switched into her defender armor and blocked the attack head on, then switching to her mage schemata, and pelting the monster with blizigga spell after blizigga spell the monster staggered, leaving its most vulnerable spot open for the kill. She switched again into her amazoness schemata and whipped her masamune at the staggered beast. Each strike getting faster and faster as time came to a crawl, until she finally slammed the blade through the beasts heart, with a final screech the beast fell back to the chaos.

Lightning then scanned the arena for the said girl in trouble. After searching she found the said victim, and carried her over to exit of the arena. The crowd was in roars of amazement as their champion left the battle stage with her new cargo in tote. After leaving the arena she moved to a more secluded place and awaited the girl to awaken.

One hour passed by and the girl awoke. Lightning was leaning against a cobblestone pillar and heard the sigh of relief as the girl lifted herself up from her laying position. The girl was in a blood covered white gown, with tears at her sides, and adorned with black stiletto heels. The girl looked to lightning, which was still in her amazoness schemata. The girl's eyes protruded at the sight of lightning in armor that made a bikini look modest.

Um excuse me miss?

Yeah what is it?

Um could you put something on that's a little less revealing?

Uh ok. Wait right here.

Lightning then left the girls sight and returned in her holy armor. This time she wasn't just covered she was engulfed in armor, white as snow, with hints of gold leaf at the trims and edges of the schemata.

So who are you?

My name is lightning; I heard that you needed help.

Um I'm Mary, I did need help, who told you that?

I have my sources. Now what is it you need help with?

I uh, it's embarrassing.

What is?

Well there is a boy that I have been head over heels for a long time; I think it was when we first met last century. But either way, I just have feelings for him, but I can't bring myself to tell him.

Ok. So where do I come it to help you.

Just be my eyes and ears and see if he has the same feelings for me as I do him.

I doubt he would tell me upfront.

Yes he will, he has a lot of respect for you, as you are the savior, and won the tournament last night. He was there, and said to me that he just had a lot of respect for strong women. So I thought if I would enter the arena today and win then maybe I wouldn't need your help, but instead I needed to be saved by you.

Ok I think I understand what I can do.

Great, his name is Tom; you can find him all the time at the forge ogling the weapons.

Great, then I guess I'll go and try to get some information out of him.

Thank you so much Lightning!

Don't thank me yet, one step at a time.

Ok.

Lightning then left Mary at the cobblestone pillar and made her way to the forge.

"Light, what are thinking about this girl?"

"I think that this is interesting."

"Why Light?"

"Oh nothing, I'll tell you about it later. Just help me find this Tom character."

"Ok Light"

Lightning made it to the forge and just as Mary said, there was the boy ogling the weapons. He was a medium size built boy with, short brown hair, he had a sword strapped to his side, and wore a simple green shirt, and blue jeans. Lightning stepped up to the boy and greeted him.

Hello, would your name be Tom?

Yes what do you wan… Wait a minute YOU'RE THE SAVIOR!

Yes I am.

OH My gosh I am like your biggest fan.

"Check it out Light you have a fan."

"Yeah what of it?"

"Just funny, that the cold reserved lightning has a biggest fan."

"Whatever"

I saw you last night at the arena, I saw you take down that dragon of a monster.

Really, well if that's the case were you there with someone?

Yeah her name is Mary; oh since you're the savior would you do me a favor?

What do you need?

Well I have these really strong feelings for Mary but I don't know how to tell her. I'm afraid that she would reject me. And friend zone me if you know what I mean.

Ok, where do I come in?

Just be my spy to find out if she has feelings for me.

What makes you think that she doesn't?

Are you kidding she is smart, beautiful, and strong, she could have any guy she wants, and I'm just a weapon nerd that loves to see the arena.

"Wow the irony, Light."

"Yeah should I tell him?"

"Na not yet let's see how this plays out."

Why don't you just tell her?

No I couldn't do that, I need you to spy for me.

Fine I'll be right back.

Thank you soooooo much Savior.

You're welcome.

Back at the Cobble stone pillar.

Mary!

Yeah what did you find out Lightning?

The boy, Tom has feelings for you.

Really, YAY! Alright then, wait why hasn't he told me?

Because he thought you would reject him.

How could I, he's everything I want.

Just go confess to him.

Right right, I am on my way love. Woohoo!

Alright I'm right behind you Mary.

Back at the forge.

Tom stood there shaking, nervous and anxious for the information he waited for.

TOM!

M..Ma..Mary!?

What are you doing here?!

I LOVE YOU TOOOOOOO!

I knew i… Wait a minute you DO!?

How could I not? You're my everything; ever since we met a century ago you have been my rock and my support. I can't think of not loving you.

That's… Amazing! I love you too Mary.

Thank you Lightning.

Thank you Savior.

Just don't keep secrets from each other.

OK!

"Light you still have some time to pass before you return to the Ark"

"Yeah, I know. Do you have any more leads?"

"None that I can find Light, you've been doing a damn good job as savior"

"Thanks Hope, then I guess I'll head over to the wildlands and visit Dajh and Sazh."

"That might be good; a moments rest would do you a world of it."

"Thanks Hope, beam me over there."

"You got it Light."

OK everyone what do you think. Please no Flamming and Remember to Rate and Review!