Author's Note: Hiya all! This is a story i've been playing back and forth in my head for about 7-8 months now (even before I came across ); it just took an accidental online trip that brought me to this website, that I finally decided to pen it down.
Please R&R! Would appreciate any comments, or feedback. I sincerely apologise if my writing is kinda strange, probably because I haven't written seriously in a long time (and I mean a VERY long time) - although you can pick on my writing if you really want to. *shrugs* I'm working to make it better over time, and will probably make small edits here and there where it's required.
Kudos to the Square Enix team, that created an entirely beautiful 'cast' and world.
Disclaimer: Final Fantasy XIII does not in any part belong to me. Credits go to Square Enix, that name that created the entire Final Fantasy Series.
Enjoy!
PART I
"Never forget who you are, or where you came from."
Chapter One: Comrades
Comrades. The world is a war waiting to happen. No one can go through it alone and survive well enough to tell its beautiful tale. The trust of another soul speaks words one cannot even fathom to put together.
The young raven haired boy sat by the waters, allowing the ebbing flow of waves wash past his toes. He wiggled them and watched as the waters receded back into the ocean, allowing the next wave of sea a chance to kiss the shore. He leaned back on his arms, looked up at the skies and smiled to himself, his deep blue eyes glistening in the sunlight.
All of a sudden, a huge weight landed on his back and two thin arms found their way around his neck.
"Rain!" a high pitched giggle came from the little girl who had pounced on him.
Rain chuckled and turned to the wide-eyed pink haired three year old. He ruffled her hair, messing up her small pigtails. "Hey, Serah." She replied with a few more giggles and a huge grin.
Rain stood up and dusted the sand off his hands and Bermuda shorts.
"Where's your sister?" He looked around.
"Rain…?" little Serah looked up at him.
"Huh?" Rain smiled at the little girl.
"Piggyback! Piggyback!" She stretched out her hands towards him, to which he instinctively knelt down to let her climb onto his back.
As he stood back up, he noticed that the Farrons had joined his parents under the huge umbrella that they had earlier set up.
"Ready to go, Serah?" Rain grinned.
"Go, go horsey!" Serah squealed, as Rain took off, running towards the umbrella - small clouds of sand flying at his feet. "This is fun!"
Fun.
The distant patter of the rain on the windows created a depressing atmosphere. Rain, with arms crossed, smiled as he gazed at the streets below, remembering the things of the past. He watched the umbrellas bobbing up and down, as the people of Cocoon made their way about their daily lives.
Even the Capital City of Eden looks sad on a rainy day.
The weather was getting gloomier; the skies darken, and started to rumble. Rain shook his head.
Too much of the past, can make you lose track of the present. He reminded himself.
He looked up, just in time to catch a burst of lightning flying down from the sky, ending off with a booming clap of thunder. It started to pour.
Rain. Just like my name… Rain whispered.
"It's Rain. Just like your name…" Rain looked up at the pink haired girl standing before him. She was drenched–wearing a thin white cotton blouse and khaki shorts. She was smiling.
She closed her eyes and lifted her head, allowing the heavy drops of rain to wash down her face. The sides of her mouth raised a little.
He turned his gaze to the trees in the far distance behind her. "Depressing…" he murmured.
"It's refreshing!" She looked back down at him, her short wet pink hair stuck to her face.
"I bring grief wherever I go." Rain's head dropped between his knees.
"Your parents' death was not your fault."
"That's what they all say. Accusing eyes. I saw them, at the funeral. Those pitiful eyes. Pretending to care... they blame me! T-they blame me..."
"You blame yourself. No one else does." The pink haired girl turned away and walked a few steps forward.
"Fine.. then it's pity. Why does my name have to represent sadness..."
"A depressing one aren't you? Your name has nothing to do with it." She turned back to look at Rain. "Remember what you said to me six years ago?"
Rain paused.
"Do you remember?"
Rain refused to answer.
"Without rain... there wouldn't be life. Your name represents life, Rain. Not death." She bent down to look him straight in the eyes. "Besides, without you, I would have one less reason to smile." She flashed him her biggest smile.
Rain couldn't help but break out into laughter – he knew she was trying her hardest to cheer him up. He stood and looked straight into her light blue eyes.
"Did I say something funny?" she clearly looked confused.
He shook his head, smiled and pulled her into a hug – both soaked in the rain. She wasn't quite sure how to react, and stood as stiff as a log, her arms by her side.
"Thank you…" he whispered.
She softened. "You're finally smiling."
Rain nodded, and held her even tighter. She could feel him shivering. She lifted her hands and gently placed them on his back. The feeling felt familiar. Yes, familiar.
It was similar to that day six years ago, under the heavy rain. Except back then, it was her whose tears could not stop flowing. She remembered clinging onto him so tightly, crying into his shirt, and he just stood there, holding her until she stopped – not saying a single word, except for two - "Be strong."
They were both five then. Her father had just passed away.
"Claire."
His voice jolted her back. She felt embarrassed about thinking back to that day.
"You're the best friend I've ever had."
A smile crept onto her face. "Rain. I'm the only friend you've ever had."
He chuckled. "You're one to talk Miss Farron."
Claire shoved him back playfully. "Whatever, Rain Kalen."
Kalen.
"Captain Kalen!"
Rain turned away from the window towards the voice. A young scarlet haired female Sergeant in a Black Advent uniform stood outside the open door, panting.
"Amber."
She took that as permission to enter. "Rain, I hear you're leaving. Is that true?"
"Is that any way to address your commanding officer?" A husky deep voice cut in before Rain could answer.
Rain walked to the front of his desk. "It's perfectly alright Grey. You guys should know better than anyone - I don't care for titles."
A tall well built slightly aged soldier walked through the door and playfully pushed Amber's head to the side. His scars could be seen beneath the unkempt grey stubble that was growing on his jaw.
"Hey stop it Old Man!" She whined.
"Looks like we've all found out at the same time huh…?" A clean cut blue haired soldier in a crisp black lieutenant's uniform and another soldier in a black sweatshirt, camouflage pants and heavy black boots walked in together.
Rain nodded. "Krenin. Falk."
The soldiers closed the door behind them and settled down in the small office.
"When were you going to tell us?" the feisty 19 year-old Amber spoke up.
"WHEN WERE YOU GOING TO TELL US?"
Hearing her shout felt like a dagger in his heart.
Rain looked up into the pair of light blue eyes that he always found himself lost in. "I didn't know either. They say I've been summoned by the Guardian Corps headquarters."
Lightning rolled her eyes and turned away. "Whatever. Just go."
"Light…" Serah stood beside her older sister, trying to ease up the situation.
"Serah, they're all the same." She snapped back. "They'll always leave. We cannot trust anyone else."
"Damn it Light! It's not like I have a choice!"
"You're right. You don't. I'll protect Serah. I'll protect this family! I have been anyway!" Lightning hugged Serah close.
Rain sighed. "Claire…"
"My name is Lightning."
"Claire!"
"Stop it." She snapped.
"I'm sorry I have to leave." Rain continued. "I'm sorry I can't be here to protect you or Serah anymore…" he forced back his tears. He thought it unfitting for a sixteen year old to cry.
Serah broke free from Lightning and ran towards Rain. "Rain…!" She flung her arms around him. "Don't forget us…" she whispered.
Lightning softened at those words.
Rain nodded slowly and held Serah tight; almost as if he were afraid to let her go. "I'll never forget. You'll always be in my heart Serah." He said, putting his hand on her head.
Tears started to swell in Lightning's eyes, the feeling of pain from losing her mother came back, that small fear reminded her that she would have to grow up - to carry the name Lightning with pride, to be there for Serah.
She turned away so that he would not see her tear. "Just go."
"Lightning..."
His voice made her want to break down and cry but she chose to ignore him. Just go already...
All of a sudden, she felt two strong arms wrap around her shoulders. "Be strong..." he whispered.
Taken by surprise, she reached for his arm. She couldn't stop it; her face was soon wet with tears.
He just held her in silence, until he was sure she would be alright.
When did he become so strong? She wondered.
Wasn't she was always the strong one? She would have to be. For Serah, she would have to...
"BE STRONG."
Rain loved his team. Advent. They were an elite division of the Guardian Corps.
Only the best of the best were selected.
Alpha Genesis, the strongest, secret team of soldiers in Advent, commonly called "92nd" for cover, were sent to Grand Pulse to learn of the world below - their true duties were unknown to the majority of the Guardian Corps and PSICOM - as Assassin Scouts.
They had been fighting together for three years now, and were inseparable.
"I'm heading home." Rain picked up the Black Blaze Edge Saber from his desk and ran his finger across the etched words: "Genesis - Live. Be Strong."
He sighed and sheathed it. Forcing a smile, he turned to his team mates.
"Amber," he called out, tossing her a thick envelope. "Send this up to HQ for me will you?"
She caught it in mid-air. "Rain... is this-"
"It's the profiles of the Guardian Corp Soldiers i'm recommending to recruit into Advent. God knows we could use some fresh blood around here." he explained, crossing his arms.
Amber opened the envelope and pulled out the first profile.
"Wait... Sh- she's in the Guardian Corp...?"
"Who?" Grey looked over Amber's shoulder. "Ah! It really is her!"
"I'm guessing it's that girl isn't it? The one you always talk about..." Falk added, arms crossed.
Rain nodded. "Yes."
"Lightning...from the Bodhum Security Regiment." Krenin stated as a matter of factly. "HQ has been observing her for awhile now. They have been keen on getting her on board for the longest time - perfect track record, exceptional training grades... She'd fit right in."
The other three stared at Krenin in disbelief. "And how would you know all of this?" Amber questioned.
"A good lieutenant always keeps his feelers out for information. Besides, she's famous. Any regular Guardian Corp soldier would know Sergeant Lightning Farron from the Bodhum Security Regiment. But of course..." Krenin sat on Rain's desk. "Our team has been on Pulse far too long to have heard the latest news on GC Cocoon."
"I'm impressed Krenin..." Rain chuckled. "Oh and by the way, HQ has had their 'feelers' on you as well..."
"Sir...?"
Rain turned to Krenin and saluted. "I wish you all the best, Captain Krenin Garden."
Krenin scrambled to stand upright. "Wait, Rain...!"
"We all knew Krenin... We had our 'feelers' out as well." Amber laughed and playfully saluted. "I-i mean Captain Garden."
"You watch it, soldier." Krenin said with a grin.
"I know you'll do a good job in leading this team forward." Rain gave Krenin a pat on the shoulder. "Well, this office is now yours..." He continued, motioning to the small office. "Although... you'd probably not spend enough time here to enjoy it."
Grey walked over and grabbed Rain up into a bear hug. "You, little boy..." he growled, ruffling Rain's hair. "I've seen you grow up... From the first day you entered the Guardian Corps - you scrawny fella, you..."
"Grey-!"
"Now you go be a man!" Grey said in a gruff voice, landing a punch on Rain's shoulder. "Go home and tell that girl you love her!"
"Grey... she's like a sister-"
"Now don't you start with that nonsense! We've all seen you. Every single time you talk about her, your eyes light up like the Fireworks Festival on Bodhum."
Falk nodded in agreement. "And whenever we finish a conversation about her, you always have this grin plastered onto your face... creeps me out."
"And... whenever you think of home,"Krenin added. "you become melancholic-"
"And you're no longer as cheerful!" Amber cut in.
"Guys..!" Rain was speechless. He never knew that he was that easy to read.
Krenin nudged Rain. "And 'red head' here, has always had a crush on you."
"No I do not!" Amber tried to keep a straight face, but her ears turned a bright pink.
Everyone burst out laughing.
When the laughter died down, a comfortable silence descended upon the room.
"Young man," Grey placed his hands on Rain's shoulders. "It has been an honor to fight with you. I see how much you resemble your father - a man of honor, wisdom and strength. You may even surpass him one day. He may not be here now, but I betcha he's proud of you."
Rain gave Grey a quick hug and a slap on the back. "Thank you Grey. Guys..." He looked around the room. "I'll miss you all."
"You'd better!" Amber crossed her arms.
"Go change the world Commander." Falk raised his arm into a salute, and the rest of the team followed.