Final Fantasy Paradigm Rift

1.1

She had awoke in a place greatly foreign to her person. Standing up slowly, she had gathered her wits about her. Checking her equipment, she learned she was carrying a weapon – a gunblade, to be precise. While she couldn't remember how she had gotten this weapon, it felt familiar in her hands. That wasn't all she couldn't remember either. Aside from the word "lightning" which resounded again and again in her mind, she had no memories to speak of.

"Lightning", she muttered softly as she looked down at the weapon she held in her hands. Slowly, she sliced the air vertically and then horizontally. Then, without thinking, upon hearing the subtle sound of footsteps to her rear she executed a standing moonsaulting flip. She landed directly behind whomever it was that stood behind her and immediately brought her blade up to their neck.

"Is this how you greet people where you're from?" they responded. This individual was a female. She had mint-green hair tied back in a pony-tail and her eyes were a deep emerald green.

"...I don't know you... tell me, is sneaking up on people commonplace where you're from?"

"...Fair enough, how about we start over?"

The woman with strawberry blonde hair removed her gunblade from her neck and replied, "In that case, care to tell me who you are and where we are?"

"My name is Terra Branford. But... as far as where we are I can't really say. This place is completely foreign to me – I've never been here before in my life." Terra replied honestly.

"...My name..." shaking her head she continued, "...I don't know – I can't remember anything."

"Amnesia. I'm familiar with the symptoms. Don't strain yourself trying to remember everything at once. In time, it'll all come back to you. But, for now you should at least try to remember your name, no?"

"...There's only one word that came to mind when I awoke... and that was 'lightning'. So, for now, call me "Lightning". It's not much..."

"I'm sure there's a reason why such a word is engraved in your memory. It's a start." Terra replied with support. She turned and looked around. Frowning, she sighed heavily.

"This air... is so thick... so... unnatural."

"So...?" Lightning retorted before she started walking.

"Wait," Terra started after her, "where do you think you're going?"

"To look for answers. Just standing here isn't going to help my memory come back."

Terra realized Lightning's urge to regain her memories... but rushing off alone just wasn't a good idea. This entire place was way more advanced than even the most high tech Magitek facilities in Vector of the former Gestahlian Empire. In the distance there was an extremely large structure, it was a reactor of some kind. And billowing out from the reactor was a thick smog...the stars couldn't be seen at all... Nevertheless, Terra couldn't continue to daydream any further if she wished to stick together with Lightning. After all, aside from herself, Lightning is the only other complete stranger to this world.

"Alright, just don't rush on ahead – I'm coming with you."

"Tch... do whatever you want," Lightning replied without looking back as she pressed on.

Midgar. This was the name of the city that Lightning and Terra had found themselves in. The big mystery still remained as to how they had arrived here. Lightning's amnesia had blocked out all her past memories. Terra had been asking most of the locals questions regarding their location to better pin point it. After learning of Midgar and that they were somewhere on the upper plate levels, Terra convinced Lightning to take a break at one of the nearby bars.

"Aren't you interested at all about my past?" Terra decided to question Lightning's interest in her.

"No." Lightning replied without hesitation, followed by downing a shot in one gulp.

"...Hey, that wasn't very nice you know." Terra pouted.

"...You asked me, didn't you? You think I care about your past? Hell, I can't even remember mine..."

"...I'm just trying to help..."

"...gah..." Lightning straight shot another drink and turned to Terra, "...Alright, tell me about yourself... okay?"

"Well, let's see... I'm a hybrid lifeform. I'm half human and half Esper."

"...Wait a minute. You lost me at 'hybrid lifeform'... what the hell is that? Esper?"

"You don't know what an Esper is? Surely everyone knows of the MAGI war."

A thousand years ago, the War of the Magi erupted between three gods known as the Warring Triad. Faced with a need of powerful soldiers, the gods turned several groups of humans into magical creatures called Espers. Eventually, the gods realized that their war was having a negative impact on the planet. In order to repent, the gods freed the Espers that they created and turned themselves to stone. When the war ended, the remaining humans and the Espers were burdened with differences in lifestyle, appearance, and opinion. As a result, the Espers retreated to a separate, hidden part of the world. Gradually, the human race has built a society based on technological power, while forgetting the existence of the Espers.

"...What the hell are you talkin' about, lady?!" some guy at the bar suddenly shouted. "What kind of stupid fairy tale is that hogwash?!"

"I'm telling the truth..."

"I'm sorry, little lady," the bartender intervened while wiping down a glass, "but there's simply no such story like that in our history. I don't know where you heard that, but if it came from your head you should write a book about it or something – it sounds mighty interesting. But as fer truth... there isn't anything like that in our records."

"...I see..."

"Terra, it's obvious that whereever we are isn't where we used to be. The people here clearly have no knowledge of the lore from your homeplace... perhaps we should try and figure out what exactly is happening within this city of Midgar. Although, I'll admit... after seeing this cities transporation I'm not looking forward to traveling..."

"Huh, what's wrong with Midgar's transportation network? It looks pretty advanced compared to where I'm from."

"Hah... this is nothing."

"Hey Lightning! You remembered something just now didn't you?" Terra suddenly stood up.

"Yes..."

Thirteen centuries ago, a fal'Cie, preternatural being formed by the Crystal residing inside it, created a floating, Utopian continent in the atmosphere of a planet known as Pulse. The fal'Cie willed that the continent be completely isolated from the crude and brutal wilderness known as the Gran Pulse below, and commissioned machines to be the guardians of the citizens. Barriers were subsequently set up all around the continent, and as such was the metropolis granted its befitting name: Cocoon.

"Wow... it seems we must be from two completely different world's..." Terra replied softly, yet with a smile.

"So it would seem... hey, why are you smiling?"

"I'm glad you remembered something, Lightning. See, it's like I said – just give it time and things will just naturally come back to you."

"Yeah... Sorry."

"Huh, why are you apologizing? You've nothing to be sorry about Lightning, it's not your fault you lost your memory."

Terra retook her seat at the bar next to Lightning and took another sip of her drink.

"Hey Lightning—"

Just then there was breaking news on the television. The advertisement of the Gold Saucer had cut immediately to a news anchor.

"We have just received word that the terrorist group known as AVALANCHE is claiming responsibility for the recent string of attacks on Midgar's Mako Reactors. Not only have they claimed responsibility for the recent attacks, we sources telling us that the No. 1 [Northern] Reactor is presently under seige by AVALANCHE. But Shinra Inc. doesn't want any of Midgar's citizens to panic and President Shinra himself has assured that this threat will be quelled very soon and without danger to the citizens of Upper-Midgar."

"AVALANCHE huh..." Lightning muttered as she threw some gil on the table to pay for her drinks.

"What's up, Lightning?" Terra asked.

"Let's go to this No. 1 Reactor."

"Are you crazy, they just said on that screen up there that there's a terrorist group attacking that place!"

"That's exactly why I want to go there. I wanted to see what was going on in this city and I think I'm starting to get the picture. Didn't you pay attention to what this President Shinra had to say?"

"Well he was assuring the people that they'd be alright—"

"Wrong. He assured the people of 'Upper-Midgar' that they'd be alright – and we already know there's a lower level of this metropolis, the slums. It's obvious that this President Shinra doesn't exactly care about his people too much... my point is, perhaps there's a reason why this group is attacking these Mako reactors in the first place."

"Now that you mention it... it does seem a bit odd that he would blatantly say 'upper-midgar' when referring the safety of the people..."

"Exactly. So, I'm going to go to the Northern reactor [No. 1] and see if I can't find out more as to what's really going on in this town. Are you going to come with me? Or would you rather not get involved?"

"I don't think I have a choice in this, Lightning. I can't just let you go off all by yourself. Plus, I already fought and saved my world – it wouldn't be right for me sit idly by while you just throw yourself head first into danger. Of course I'll come and help you, Lightning." Terra replied with a smile.

"Thanks, Terra... oh, and one thing before we go."

"Yes?"

Lightning smiled softly, "Call me Light."

Chapter 1.2 Preview

Terra: I'm not sure what it is exactly we're getting into, but one things for sure – Light and I are definitely not like the people of this world. Apparently they have to use crystal gems called 'Materia' to utilize magic... how odd, I mean, Light and I naturally have this power. I know why I do, I'm part Esper... but I'm still not sure how or why Light is able to muster so much power both physically and magically... she's truly one-of-a-kind. Huh... who's that guy? How does he handle a sword that large? Oh no, Light's trying to fight him – I gotta go, see you next time!