Disclaimer: All characters belong to Square Enix, except OC's that I might add later.

Waiting For The End

-Chapter I-

Arms Of A Ghost

Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion.

Then for a moment everything stopped. Realization hit me like a ton of bricks.

I was going to die.

Here, on the battlefield.

Bodies littered around me. My intentions were to try and stop this unnecessary bloodshed. The figureheads of the sanctum were gone, but that didn't stop the people from fighting. PSICOM was only interested in self-preservation they tried not to harm the public at first. However from fear, power and obedience come in. Even so from that it can't be obtained without resistance.

But when the attacks became more violent, that's when more force was used and guns were being pulled. Causing the death toll to rise.

Of course it wasn't everyone joining in but quite a percentage felt strongly that PSICOM needed to be eliminated completely, if there was any hope of a peaceful existence on this new land.

Myself and the others all tried to intervene, and put a stop to it before it got to out of hand. However we were too late. There were others that tried to help our cause, including Team Nora and the Guardian Corps. But we were fighting a losing battle.

If only we were released from crystal status earlier. Being turned together you would think we would be released together. The first to be released months after the fall was Snow, followed by Hope then Sazh only weeks between. I on the other hand was the last to be released. With the exception of Fang and Vanille who we have little hope that they return.

It had been 11 months after the destruction of Cocoon when I awoke.

A lot had changed in that time.

The sound of a heartbeat was all I could hear.

My own heartbeat.

I could feel my body pulsate with every beat.

Hollow explosions echoing around in the dust filled air, shouts from shadows.

Bright flashes followed by thunderous rumble from underneath my unmoving body. Debris raining from above, scattering across me. The harsh smell of burning chemicals and there toxic fumes.

It all sounded as if I were underwater.

Failure keeping me held under.

My body now going numb from blood loss. The earth beneath my quivering fingers felt sticky. No, it felt as if I was led in a shallow pool.

Funny I don't remember it raining recently, and it seemed to be increasing by the second.

Cold.

I don't remember it getting cold either.

A coughing fit racked me to the core, blood trailing closely behind.

This situation was out of my control completely the only thing left for me now was darkness, beyond that, who knows.

Unconsciousness had nearly enveloped me completely, darkness creeping around my vision. Eyes drifting getting heavier by each passing second. Grasping hold of what little strength I have left, just to hold on a bit longer.

Only then at my final moment did I feel a hand grasp my arm rolling me onto my back. I could barely register any colour at that point.

Black dots dancing across my vision.

The mysterious person had now unclasped what was left of my once cream coloured uniform coat to reach my wound more easily.

The event was a blur, I remember … Hope he was …trying to convince a man to drop his weapon. There was one of our guys on the ground behind Hope…

…that's right the man was about to shoot but Hope got in his way. Blocking his target.

Shortly after something Hope said that seemed to have angered him, which caused him to draw his gun on him.

-Flashback, a few moments ago-

I had just managed to evacuate a few stragglers that were to frighten to more, away from the area. Upon returning I spotted Hopes situation, though the chaos. Fear spiked in my chest.

No we've come too far, I'm not going to lose him. Any of us. Not now.

Hope had become almost like a younger brother to her and the feeling was mutual.

His eyes going wide with the mans action. "You don't know what the hell we've been through, who are you to tell me what to do" he roared.

Hope continued to hold his ground.

That's when my instincts took over, breaking into a sprint towards my target.

"Hope!"

At the sudden voice the enraged civilian turned towards me.

Hope traced the barrel to its new target, as realization hit him as to who it was now pointed at. If it were possible for someone's face to turn that pale, I would say Hope had achieved a whole new shade of white.

Hope was still my main concern. Putting all the power I had into my last stride, a breath caught in my throat as I launched myself at the young boy pulling him close.

A shot rang out.

Turning in mid air so that I was underneath and would cushion him on collision with the ground that shortly came.

Upon impact my grip loosened with each bounce until I came to an abrupt stop against an overturned car, where he finally left my grasp.

I managed to prop myself slightly with my elbow with huge effort, I then scanned his body for injury. From what I could see he was unconscious, he did acquire a few cuts and bruises. Closing my eyes as well as releasing the breath I didn't realize I was holding.

Yet I felt a burning sensation coming from my left side.

Sucking in a laborious breath I Glanced down, dragging my hand to touch the darkened area. Peeling my hand away slightly to reveal a deep stained hand.

That's when darkness consumed me.

In the arms of a ghost.

My life pretty much flashed before my eyes at that point.

Who would have thought after surviving the whole L'cie mess, during the revolt against sanctum would be where I met my end.

A/N: Well there it is, my first finfic chapter posted. I finally finished it. I could have spent alot longer on it improving it further, but decided to stop there otherwise i would never get round to posting it. I'm going to start chapter II soon but have no clue as to when it will get posted.

Please review, would be much appreciated.

LowBatteryLife x

(been updated 17/07/11)