Some things never change. Some accepted life in the New World without a second thought, but others longed for an old life they could never quite remember. Grasping for direction. War broke out soon after. A civil war no less. Those who longed for an old life wanted to recreate a Fal'Cie. A protector, leader...free choice, and these people still choose the Fal'Cie. Bitter irony. Lightning held a hand over the tiny lightning bolt pendent over her chest, squinting her eyes ever so slightly as she stepped out of the cab.
The two warring sides of the free people had soon reached a point where Lightning had no choice but to intervene. This ironic civil war would only destroy the people she had so desperately tried to save. Give the people free choice, and a war breaks out. Tsk.
Lightning walked up the path to the familiar small house near a beach. Serah's one room house. The home she had moved into when Snow, and her decided to end their engagement. The various citizens she had saved, with the help of her companions from the past, were not the only ones who had changed.
"Lightning!" Serah's voice rang out through the air, and brought Lightning out from her thoughts. "I figured you would be here early. Apparently I was correct."
"Serah." Lightning greeted, wrapping her arms around her sister in a warm embrace. The rose haired woman took a step back before moving to the side. "I'm ready to hear about what happened between you, and Snow."
There was a pause as Serah brought a finger to her jaw. "I made some lemonade. We can talk inside."
"Alright." Lightning walked through the door to follow her younger sister inside. The home was nice, cozy, and a welcoming atmosphere. A home she always pictured Serah would have, but she had imagined by this time it would be more spatious for a family. Tch, Snow, you should have been here, she thought bitterly.
"Before I tell you anything, Sis, Snow never did anything wrong. He never hurt me, or hit me. He was always the perfect hero any girl would be proud to have by her side." Serah started, grabbing two glasses from a cabinet.
"Tch, I'll bite, what went wrong then? If he was so perfect he would be with you in a family home." Lightning responded, her arms folded over her chest as she sat at the table.
The younger Farron sister had a noticeable small smile. Barely a smile, but a curve on her lips. What went on? Snow had made an oath to always be there for Serah, and that had been broken. They were able to have a life together now. This explanation better be mind blowing.
"Nothing." Serah finally responded, filling the two glasses with lemonade. "Life had been almost perfect." She finally came over to Lightning, and sat the two glasses down on the glass table. "The thing is, Light, we changed. Snow is still the hero I've always known, but something has changed. I'm not entirely sure on how I would explain it. Since we decided call off whatever we had, I have surprisingly been more content with life. Even my students are enjoying my classes more."
"So, what about all that about you two being together forever?" Lightning asked, her glass remaining untouched. "Fighting through anything, and everything just to be together. You two were inspiring for the love that you shared. You honestly expect me to believe that you left him just like that? Serah, if he hurt you, I need to know." She reached across the table, and placed a hand over Serah's. "He promised to protect you. Promised to make you happy."
Serah turned her hand to grip onto Lightning's. "A part of me still loves him, in some way." She went silent, her eyes moving to the glass between her hands. Her slender thumb tracing the rim of the glass. "We were trying to go back to how things were before. At times I find myself missing what was before, but what we had here felt forced."
So, that's it, fighting through time to be with eachother, and this is what happens. "Where is he? Where's Snow?"
"I'm not sure on that one. He always enjoyed riding his motorcycle. I haven't seen him in awhile. Maybe he took a roadtrip." Serah replied, taking a drink from her glass.
"If what you had was over, very well." One leg crossed over the other as Lightning spoke. Her piercing sapphire eyes caught a glimpse of the reflection in her glass. A flashback from Gran Pulse clouded her mind.
Snow, standing in the green grass holding the tear shapped crystal. Beautiful tranquil setting with the sun. Their banter about speaking to Serah, and the forceful question of them getting married. The tears shed that she had refused Snow to witness...he had been inspirational. Taught her to go against her doubts, no doubts. Just for a moment she felt the same sudden need she had felt. The need to embrace him. It never happened, but their had been a brief moment of the need to. Just as quickly as it had been felt, it had disappeared.
Serah's Hero, a man willing to fight through anything to save her. Reckless, and moronic at times.
"Thanks for being honest with me." Lightning responded, snapping out of her flashback. "If Snow would have told me I would never have believed him." Quietly she raised the glass to her lips.
Slight agitation had built up over Snow's failure to keep Serah happy. Serah was right...people do indeed change. Not always for the better. His determination was admirable. Inspirational. The agitation slightly grew more, her grip tightening around the glass. Her fight to bring Snow back from his transformation. His desperate attempt for her to kill him, and end his life.
"She never stopped believing in you!" The desperation hit her like a train. He came home with Serah. They were supposed to be together. In that moment...she had felt her heart, what she had thought would have been lost, break. The thought of losing Snow. "For a second there, i thought you cared." He had fallen against her after finally breaking free. Relief had washed over her...Snow was back, and alive. Tch, yeah right. She had ignored the relief, and answered with sarcasm.
Lightning slammed her glass on the table, feeling the rage she had felt so long ago. The desperation had reignited a fire. "Excuse me." She stated, quickly standing up from the table, and walked towards the bathroom. Serah's reaction had not even been noticed, just ignored. Calm your mind. Focus on the now. She spoke to herself as she closed the bathroom door behind her.