A/N:

I wrote this story before Final Fantasy XIII's sequel was released, and now, going through this story again, I'm kind of shocked at some of the similarities. Apparently, my mind came up with almost the same things as the designers. However, this won't really follow the sequel, as Lightning is NOT in Valhalla, Noel is not mentioned, Hope is NOT the founder of Academia, and the structure of the new society is a little different. I hope you'll bear with me anyway.

Hope and Lightning are my favorite pairing, so long as Hope is at an appropriate age, so obviously this story will take place after the game play storyline, when Hope has grown into his shoes, so to speak. The characters and the game are obviously not mine, or I would be making another game, not a fan fiction.

This first chapter's title has only a little bit to do with the storyline at this point; it's actually a song by Rob Thomas (Matchbox Twenty) that I could see Hope singing. The song of course is not mine.

I hope that you will enjoy the journey that this story is sure to turn into with all the twists, turns, bumps, and surprises that'll rise up along the way! I wish you happy reading! Reviews, be it constructive criticism or praise is more than welcome!

Chapter One: How Far We've Come

"Well, I believe the world is burnin' to the ground! Oh well, I guess we're gonna find out! Let's see how far we've come, let's see how far we've come! And I believe it all is comin' to an end! Oh well, I guess we're gonna pretend! Let's see how far we've come, let's see how far we've come, let's see how far we've come…!"

Reality rushed back to the singer, seemingly slapping him in the face as his ears were assaulted with the sound of enthusiastic applause. Gazing out over the faces, he noticed that his band had attracted quite the crowd around the small stage in Lebreau's new bar, built to almost match the one she had owned and run on Cocoon. Many people of all ages crowded around them, cheering wildly, some even whistling or calling for an encore, many having to stand on the tips of their toes to get a good view of the stage.

Music. An inspiration and motivator for all mankind. Since the fall of Cocoon, this has become even more true. The people seek refuge in music as they try to cope with adjusting to the world of Gran Pulse as their new home. Music inspires all of the people collectively to press on and face the challenge with newfound strength and determination. This newly formed band, Halo of Havoc, is no different.

The NORA boys, Yuj and Marqui, joined up with Hope Esthiem to form what is now one of the major bands performing here on Gran Pulse. As soon as Hope expressed an interest in music, the NORA boys jumped on the opportunity, claiming that Hope needed all the help he could get. But we all know that deep down inside, Maqui has been dying to try his hand at playing the bass, which he is surprisingly adept at. He also covers background vocals with his rich baritone voice (which has deepened a bit over the years). Given Yuj's….slightly wild demeanor, decided that it would be the most exhilarating to play, or rather, slam, the drums. Turns out, he had the skill in his genes. And Hope Esthiem, now twenty years old, plays the lead acoustic guitar and sings his heart out as the lead vocalist.

Though he loves the new life that he's created for himself after picking up the pieces of the little boy caught up in the L'Cie mess, he can't shake the feeling that something crucial is missing here. Even with the freedom of being normal again, human again, he cannot find a way to be completely satisfied.

Fang and Vanille rest peacefully in crystal stasis, the silent guardians of all people living on Pulse. Err, rather, Gran Pulse. Their hometown, Oerba, has been rebuilt into a bustling city and the capital of our Pulsian society. If they could see the people of Cocoon, all working together to live on Gran Pulse and put old feelings of hatred and disgust behind, Hope was sure they would be smiling, smug, but also proud of our progress. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Sazh and Dajh, reunited again, couldn't be any happier. Sazh is doing what he loves most, piloting. His journeys have allowed us to begin mapping out Gran Pulse. Dajh, wanting to follow in his father's footsteps, spends as much time with his father as he can, while living out the life of a normal teenager, that being a L'Cie almost robbed him of. The two of them occasionally show up to a concert, Dajh claiming to be Halo of Havoc's biggest fan. The chocobo chick, now full grown, is one of the increasingly numerous chocobos that the father and son duo have begun to raise on a ranch.

Our hero, Snow, is busy raising his "big happy family" with his precious wife, Serah. The two tragic lovers have finally been able to settle down into normality, seeming to have defeated the fate they were destined to have when they became L'Cie. They welcome the joys and challenge that being parents bring, each new day a different page in the story they are writing together.

And last but not least, Lightning…. Promoted to a position of relatively high command of the reformed Guardian Corps, her goal is now to protect the cities and towns of Gran Pulse from the rampaging and wild monsters that might threaten our society. She's as busy as ever. Serah says she seems to be enjoying herself having purpose again and such, but with Light, you can never really tell what is stirring under the surface…but that's Light for you.

"Ladies and gentlemen of Gran Pulse!" A voice bellowed with conviction from the large flat screen hanging above the bar began, once again effectively pulling Hope out of his thoughtful trance. It was Saiko Kanshisha, the military leader who was elected to begin guiding the citizens of Pulse on our adventure to make Gran Pulse an inhabitable home, as great or better than Cocoon had been. As epic as his speech sounded, Hope wasn't really interested. In his eyes, this guy was too much talk, and not enough action, though he did give him credit where credit was due, progress was being made, however slow it may be.

Walking off stage into the narrow hallway that lead to the back door of the bar, Hope escaped the notice of the crowd, who was enthralled by Saiko's speech. Lazily turning the doorknob, he stepped out into the pouring rain. Turning his face skyward, he relished in the feel of the raindrops sliding down his face and through his platinum hair.

Moving more out of habit and instinct than actual willpower, he found himself in his hotel room, shoes shaken off on the right side of the door. He flopped down on the small, but adequate and comfortable bed and hoped sleep would find him quickly.

It was not a peaceful sleep.

A/N:

Chapter one is done! Let me know what you think and stick around for the next chapter, okies? Thanks for reading! I look forward to the completion of this adventure that I've just started with all of you!

Considering that this is the first chapter, I would like to ask you to PLEASE REVIEW. Constructive criticism or praise would be much appreciated. Until next time.