Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy 13 or Persona 4 Golden.
A\N: This is a squeal to Child of Death. I know it's early to publish this as Child of Death is not done, but that story is going to be long. The events of XIII Q will prevent this story to get the bad ending. Also because of XIII Q, Lightning, and the Persona 4 cast are stronger than usual. Meaning Lightning and Co are in new game + mode.
Chapter 1: A warm welcome
Blue. That was all she could see. Taking her surroundings, it looked like she was in a limousine. But this limousine wasn't an ordinary one. Yes, it looks nice but it feels...odd. The old man sitting in front of her didn't help this strange atmosphere. "Welcome to the velvet room." the bizarre old man said calmly.
His eyes are bulging and bloodshot. And he had an unusually long nose that shaped like a beak. "Ah... It seems we have a guest with an intriguing destiny.." he chuckled. "My name is Igor... I am delighted to make your acquaintance."The old man introduced himself.
The teen with rose coloured hair did expect Igor to be this polite. At least she knows his name, but not where she is. As sensing her thoughts. Igor spoke again. "This place exists between dream and reality, mind and matter. It is a room that only those who are bound by a 'contract' may enter." The half French and Japanese girl didn't remember signing any contract.
Igor continued. "It may be that such a fate awaits you in the near future." when the long-nosed man said fate and future, the teen tighten her fist. Those are two words that she hates the most. "Now then... Why don't you introduce yourself...?" he asked, "Lightning Narukami." She responded sharply. Her response did go unnoticed by the woman by the beak-nosed man. She was going to say something but was stopped when raised his hand.
Igor smiled. "Hm... I see. Now, let's take a look into your future, shall we? " Lightning's eyes widen when Igor summoned a deck of cards, from out of nowhere. "Do you believe in fortune telling?" he asked as he waved his hand over the deck.
Making them into a circle with a single card in the middle. "Each reading is done with the same cards, yet the result is always different..." Igor chuckled. "Life itself follows the same principles, doesn't it?" the long-nosed old man then magically flipped over one card.
It had a picture of a tower struck by a lightning bolt on it. "Hm... The Tower in the upright position represents the immediate future. It seems a terrible catastrophe is imminent." he informed.
Lightning scowled. Catastrophes seem to follow where ever she goes. Igor resumed with the fortune telling. "The card indicating the future beyond that is..." he flipped over another card. This one had the moon on it "The Moon, in the upright position. This card represents 'hesitation' and 'mystery'... Very interesting indeed." The word hesitation made her growl. She never hesitated. If something needs to be done, she does it. And Lightning doesn't give a flying fuck about the consequences.
The card's other meaning; mystery. Was very interesting to her and Igor picked up on this and explained. "It seems you will encounter a misfortune at your destination, and a great mystery will be imposed upon you." great, that just what she needs. Another misfortune has life hadn't screwed her over enough already. Has life took enough things that are dear to her! But this mystery.
What could it mean? "In the coming days, you will enter into a contract of some sort, after which you will return here." Igor gestured at the room their in.
What Igor said next made Lightning's blood run cold. "The coming year is a turning point in your destiny... If the mystery goes unsolved, your future may be forever lost." the teen bit her lip. Mysteries are not her strong suit. She's a type of girl that solves her problems with violence, instead of her brain. Lightning is smart. It's just that she finds it more efficient to use force. That's the reason why her step-parents use to send her to an all-girls private school.
But transfer out of it as she getting too friendly with the other female students and female teachers, to her dismay. Her step-parents transfers put her in a school called Gekkoukan High. And surprise-surprise; she getting transferred out of that too.
Why? It's because of their fucking jobs and they don't want take her with them. What a fucking shock.
However, this mystery sounds like it will take more force to solve. And her future is in jeopardy if she doesn't solve it. This didn't sit well with Lightning. "My duty is to provide assistance to our guests to ensure that does not happen." Igor assures Lightning from her uneasiness. Igor again waved his hand over the cards, making them disappear. "Ah! I have neglected to introduce my assistant to you." Lightning was wondering when Igor was to introduce the platinum blonde haired beauty. She was more beautiful then Lightning's own biological mother, and she's a model.
Lightning was glad that bitch is dead. "Fuck that slut! Hope she burns in hell!" the teen bitterly thought.
"This is Margaret. She is a resident of this place, like myself." Igor fully introduces his assistant. "I am here to accompany you through your journey." Margaret said in an elegant voice.
Lightning didn't find any problems with that. "We shall attend to the details another time. Until then, farewell..." when Igor finished saying that. The suddenly room began to blur.
April 11, 2011, One of Shirakawa Boulevard's former Love Hotels
Lightning's eyes shot open. "The fuck was that?!" the french teen said shaking her head. She looked around to get her bearings. It was the hotel she's staying at. Her old apartment was empty and her stuff was sent to the place she'll be staying at for the year. Like usual they told her this at the last second. They always so this. Lightning often wonders why the fuck they adopted her. They made it clear they didn't care about her.
Not celebrating her birthday. It didn't matter as her other parents didn't celebrate it too. Only once was her birthday celebrated, her ninth. Tears would fall when she began to think about her ninth birthday. But, she cried so much when she died a year after her birthday. That she lost the ability to cry, smile and to feel happiness and love. Lightning's heart was now a brick of thick of uncaring ice and burning inferno of heated and anger. What was odd is that that fire died out a bit. But the ice still remains as cold as ever.
What happen two years ago was a complete blank. The only part she remembers was her time with a woman named Jihl Nabaat. Lightning didn't know why they lived together, but didn't complain as the sex was amazing. Lightning had to move out because she had to attend to Gekkoukan High as they had dorms. The parting gift Jihl gave her was a strap-on because Lightning really knows how to use it.
Having finished reminiscing, Lightning got out of bed and got ready to take the very long trip to Inaba where her step-uncle lives because her piece of shit step-parents are working overseas. After a cold shower as Lightning always gets angry when she thinks about, them. She looks in the mirror, her hair had grown past shoulder length. Her bangs cover her right eye. Pulling some of her hair back so she can see properly, and tied it into a ponytail.
It was interesting that her hair is still unnaturally spiky. After that, Lightning noticed her body gotten very muscular (not overly muscular) over the years. She wasn't sure when she stared working out but, it payed off. On her back was a large simple black dragon tattoo that she just got. Lightning also noticed her body was also riddled with battle scars. It was expected as she has been in a ton of fights. Mostly with butt hurt guys. There was one scar that was a mystery to her. It was a long and deep slash mark over her left eye.
A normal girl would be upset with this kind of mark on their face, but not Lightning. This mark showed every one that she's not to be fucked with. When Lightning reached into her black duffel bag to get a set of clothes. A white shirt was a detailed image of a frighting black dragon, jeans, black classic hi-top shoes, and a her favorite long hooded black coat, it has silver drawstrings and four large cylinder like beads that's connected to each collarbone. Lightning decide to wear the coat open.
Lightning had no idea were she got this coat, but figured it was during that missing time she forgot. When she was done dressing up, she checked out and went to the hotel that was a love hotel two years ago. Not much of a loss as Shirakawa Boulerard has more anyway. So who cares.
Iwatodai Station
As Lightning was waiting for first of meany, meany trains she'll have to take, watched a near by TV to pass the time. When a commercial featuring a famous teen idol, Risette. She had on a bikini that showed off her figure. It began with her under a light torrent of water. Lightning swallowed and her mouth went dry as the water soaked Risette's body.
For some strange reason, Lightning always get like this when she sees anything with Risette. Lightning has been with A LOT of women and teen girls and never felt this way. Only Risette had this strange hold on her. After Risette's cute dance number, it cut to her drinking a soda. "I'm tired of diets and enough with going to the gym. Good thing there's something even can handle." she said with that cute voice of her's while put the can up to her face and wink at the camera.
Lightning considered getting what Risette had. "Slim down this summer with the refreshing taste of Calorie Magic." maybe not. That deep voice killed it for Lightning. Hearing her train arriving, and got in.
Preparing for the loooong trip.
Getting out of the fourth train and waited for the train to Inaba, Lightning stretched and let out a disgruntled groan. "Thank fucking god this is the last train I have to take." this trip is taking a toll on her. Sitting and standing for hours is adding up.
Putting her duffel bag on a near by bench, walked back and forth while stretching her arms. The station she was at was empty. Well it IS the afternoon. Lightning would play Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Final Mix on her PSP, but it died. After two hours of waiting, the last train she has to take arrived. Getting her duffel bag, Lightning hasty got on.
Is was easy to find an empty seat as Lightning is the only one on the train. Placing her duffel bag on the compartment above her, sat right down. Look out the window, she saw the scenery change from city to county. Just then, she got flashbacks to that strange dream she got in the morning but she put that in the back of her mind, as her final destination was arriving. The voice on the intercom confirm it, so Lightning got up and to her bag.
Yasoinaba Station
When the train stops, she got out and took her surroundings. "It so quite." she said looking around. Having gotten use to the city noise that it was odd for the teen. Exiting the station, she searched for her uncle who was going to pick her up. Lightning removed her hood so he can find her as her step-mother send a picture of her face to him.
"Hey! Over here!" following the voice, she saw her uncle waving at her. When she approached him and shook his welcoming hand. "Well, you're more beautiful in person than in your photo."
"I get that a lot." Lightning said dully.
"Well, you were a daughter of a super model. So, I guess it comes with the territory." Lightning was stunned. How did he knew that? Did her step-mother told him this? "Anyways, welcome to Inaba. I'm Ryotaro Dojima. I'll be looking after you. Let's see... I'm mother's younger brother... and that about sums it up."
Lightning raised an eyebrow at this. "That was short." Dojima scratched the back of his neck. "Yeah, I'm not good at this kind of stuff" he then moved the little girl that was with him forward. "This here's my daughter. Come on, Nanako, introduce yourself to your cousin. She's a girl just like you."
Nanako looked up at her cousin. She was taken in by how beautiful Lightning was. "'...lo." that was all she can say as she blushed and hid behind her father. Dojima can't help but chuckle. "What're you so shy for?" Nanako frowned at her father and slapped him in the back in which he chuckled again.
"Well then... Let's get going. My car's over there." he said motioning at his car. As she was beginning to walk. "Hey, you dropped this." turning, she saw a girl with short black hair with bright green eyes. Lightning thought her outfit was no bad. "Merci."
The girl looked at Lightning with confusion "Merci?"
"It means 'Thank you' in Frènch," the girl looked interested for a bit then lost it. "Whatever. All I did was pick it up." she then walked away. Lightning could hear the girl repeat Merci over and over again. It seems that girl as starting to be fond of the Frènch language. Though Lightning had stopped speaking in a Frènch assent, she's still well versed in the language.
"What's wrong?" Dojima shouted.
"Yeah, yeah I'm coming."
Central Shopping District
Dojima stopped by a gas station that was close to his house. As the approached an Attendant ran up to them to greet them. "Hi! Welcome to Moel!" Dojima turned to his daughter and asked. "Can you go to the bathroom by yourself?" Nanako nodded.
The two got out and Nanako looked for the bathroom. "It's in the back, to your left. You know which way's left? The side you don't hold your chopsticks in."
"I know...Geez..." Nanako huffed. She didn't like to be treated like a dumb little kid. "Are you taking a trip?" the Attendant asked as Lightning got out of the car to stretch her legs. Her legs were cramped by the long trip.
"No, we just went to pick her up. She just moved here all the way from Tatsumi City." Dojima informed. "Tatsumi City, huh...?" the Attendant looked at her with keen interest. Lightning lean on the car, folding her arms and rolled her eyes.
"Fill up my car while you're at it. Regular's fine."
"Right away, Sir!"
"Good a time as any for a smoke..." Dojima walked off, leaving Lightning alone with the Attendant. "Are you in high school?"
"Yeah?" she said with an irritated tone. It was a long day and the last thing she needed is by hit on by a guy. "Does it surprise a city girl to see how little there is out here? There's so little to do, I'm sure you'll get bored fast. You'll either be hanging out with your friends or doing part-time jobs. Speaking of which, we're actually looking for part-time help right now." Lightning was a bit shocked that he did flirt with her. But keep her guard up.
The Attendant held out his hand. "Give it some thought, why don't you? We don't mind if you're a student." Lightning thought about it. The town looks boring as shit, so taking part-time jobs may help to pass the time. Reluctantly, Lightning shock his hand "Oh, I should get back to work." the Attendant noticed that he spend too much time talking, rush to do his job.
As so as he left, Lightning suddenly got light headed and a strange feeling crept into her heart. It felt familiar, somehow. Feeling a tug on her goat, looked down to see a worried Nanako "Are you okay? Did you get carsick? You don't look too good..." Lightning patted her on the head and was going to say something about what she felt, but the voice of her uncle stopped her.
"What's wrong? You okay?" Dojima had noticed Lightning's ill as well.
"I just felt lightheaded." Lightning said holding her head in her hand. "That's understandable. It must have been a long trip for you. Why not take a little walk, get some fresh air? Just let me know when you're ready to go. I'll wait here. The shopping district is near the house, so you should get to know where all the stores are." take his advice, Lightning began to explore the shopping district. She needs a good walk.
Play Sulyya Springs from Final Fantasy 13 as cloudy Inaba theme
Standing not too far from the gas station was the Lightning met earlier. When Lightning walked passed her, she called out to her. "Hm...? Have we met before?" Lightning was confused by this. "Yeah, at the station. Don't you remember?"
"Really...? Hmm, okay." the girl looked like there's on her mind that she's desperate to find out. Like at the train station, the girl wondered off. Now that Lightning got a second look, the girl has a nice ass. After that brief encounter, Lightning continued to explore. She first stop was a book store called Yomenaido Bookstore.
The poster lists the books that are coming out on the twentieth, they are The Lovely Man for one thousand and two hundred yen, it says that it's in stock. "I may get that." that book is a part of The Famous Man series. It was the manliest book series she read. The other book on the list was was not so much. Expert Study Methods for two thousand and eight hundred yen, the tag line was Get an edge over your classmates.
Lightning scoffed at this. She already had an edge as she was gifted was a high intelligence. One overview of the material and she has it etched into her brain. It's like she a robot or something. Not finding interest in that book, she went down the list, Beginner Fishing for one thousand and six hundred yen. It's tag line was Now you can be a fisher too!
Considering how is little there's to do around here, she might consider that. Looking inside the store, it looked rather empty. Not caring, she went in and got The Lovely Man. The owner saw surprised to see a girl getting one, but Lightning did care what he thinks and went to the next store. It's name is Daidara Metalworks. Lightning like the samurai statue in the front.
Upon entering a katana hanging on one of the racks caught her eye. It had a bronze oval guard, the tsuka-ito braided with black and white material. The black scabbard from what Lightning can tell was made with lacquered wood. The wood looks hard enough that it so some damage on some one if smacked with it. On the every end on the scabbard was a metallic ornaments.
Taking it off the rack, she noticed on the end of the hilt was a dragon. Lightning took a good long look at it. "Beautiful." she then heard the owner of the shop chuckled with pride. "Thank you. It's one of my latest masterpiece. A work of art." the owner watched as Lighting drew slowly the blade out of its sheath. Holding it up to the light. She admired how it reflect off the blade.
"Beautiful." she repeated.
"I surprised a girl your age finds a katana beautiful."
"Well, they're fucking morons." the old man let out a hearty laugh at her response. "I like you." with a nimble hand, Lightning sheathed the sword. The old man can tell, Lightning know full well how to use it. "May I know the name of the one how made this fine blade?" she asked as the sword clicked into the scabbard.
"Master Daidara and the sword's name Muramasa. Yours?"
"Lightning Narukami. How much do you want for this? Name your price Daidara." she willing pay any amount to have this wonderful kakana "You can have it for free. You and Muramasa look good together."
Lightning was stunned. He's let her have this.
"A-Are you sure?"
"Think of it as a first costumer special." with her new katana Muramasa in hand she went back to Dojima. He looked disproving of the fact Lightning has a katana. But his sister had told him that Lightning has a permit to have one. And has taken lessons to use one. What was odd is that she graduated from two dojos already. "How're you feeling? Ready to get back in the car?"
"Yeah, I need that." she said stretching out her back "All right, let's hit the road then." during the drive, Dojima suggest to get a case for Muramasa, it will case problems if she walks around with it out in the open. Lightning remarked she'll keep that in mind.
The drive didn't last long and they arrived at the Dojima Residence. The house were Lightning's going to stay for the whole year. She wonder what well be like to live in house that is not just her alone in it.
Dojima Residence
To the teen surprise, the Dojimas had prepared a little celebration for her arrival. Though is just sushi and sodas. As they sat down, Dojima noticed Lightning looked lost on what to do. "Do what we do." he and Nanako raised their sodas. Fallowing their lead, she did the same.
"All right, let's have a toast." once he said that, they all drank their sodas. "So... Your mom and dad are busy as always.. They're working overseas, was it? I know it's only for a year, but getting stuck in a place like this because of your parents... It's rough being a kid." Lightning angrily ate her sushi. He had no idea just how rough is really was.
"Well, it's just me and Nanako here, so it's nice having someone like you around. So long as you're here, you're part of the family, so make yourself at home." Lightning was stunned by Dojima's generosity. Why is he so nice to her? He just met her. It didn't make since. "O...kay." was all she can say. Never have meet someone like him.
Or did she. In her mind she didn't, but in her heart, she did. Lightning's train of thought was lost when a hand was placed on her shoulder. "After everything you went, though. It's that least I do."
"H-How did you-" her question was cut short when Dojima's phone began to ring. "Ugh... Who's calling at this hour?" he reluctantly got up and answer it. Lightning notice Nanako's face getting sad.
"Dojima speaking. Yeah? I see... So where is it? All right, I'm on my way." he put away his phone and let out a long sigh. "Lookd like I made the right choice to skip the booze... Sorry, but I gotta go take care of some business. Go ahead and eat without me. I don't know how late I'll be. Nanako, you help her out, okay?"
The little girl just nodded. "...Okay." the disappointment in her tone was apparent. Lightning glared at Dojima as he was leaving. She knew that he was too good to be true. All parents are the same. Good parents don't exist. "Nanako, it's raining out. What did you do with the laundry!? Dojima shout from outside.
"I already brought it in!"
"...All right. Well, I'm off." Lightning then turn her addition to the T.V. Wanting to know what the weather will be like on the first day of school. "-for this week. Next, let's take a look at the hourly breakdown of tomorrow's weather. With storm clouds moving in from the west, expect rain throughout the day and tomorrow in most areas." it's a good thing her brought her jacket.
"...Let's eat." Lightning stared at the Nanako. In a long time, she felt sympathy for someone. "It must be tough."
"It's always like this. My dad's a detective." Lightning now get how he knows her past. Dojima must of used his detective skills to find out.
The program their watching shifted to a newscast. "And now for the local news. City council secretary Taro Namatame is under fire for an alleged relationship with a female reporter. His Wife, enka ballad sensation Misuzu Hiiragi, revealed to this station that she will likely pursue damages. In response, Eye Television has decided to cancel all of announcer Mayumi Yamano's televised appearances. Until allegations of an affair with Mr. Namatame are resolved, she'll remain off the air and out of the public eye." that story was every were.
Lightning had no idea why this story is so popular. Is because it includes famous people? Lightning finds it pathetic that so meany are drawn to the famous and wealthy. Wanting to know EVEY single thing about or bad about them. "Those people will never be like them. They better accept that fact to the grave." Lightning thought.
"This is boring." Nanako said.
"You said it. Change the channel." doing just that, Nanako kept channel surfing until she reached to a particular commercial. "At Junes, every day is Customer Appreciation Day. Come see for yourself, and get in touch with our products! Every day's great at your Junes!" the little girl's face lit up.
She rocked side to side and sang the jingle she just heard. "Every day's great at your Junes!" Looking at Nanako, Lightning thought spending a whole year here won't be all bad. "Aren't you going to eat?" the little girl asked the teen. Lightning finished her meal and offered to help clean the dishes. Nanako happily accepted and with the two of them working together. The dishes were done in no time.
After Nanako showed Lightning her room, she switched to her pajamas which were a blue tank top with a superman S on it and black shorts. With the futon ready, she plopped down and fell instantly asleep.
Unknown
Opening her eyes she fond herself in a thick fog and the only thing she can see was the red brick path, in front of her. "Do you seek the truth...? If it's truth you desire, come and find me..." a mysterious voice said. Lightning couldn't tell if it was a man and woman's voice, and can't tell where it came from. It told her to find them.
But, Lightning didn't trust it. For all she knows it could be a trap. However, there's no other way for her go except forward. With her guard up she walked. "This is the second weariest dream I had this day." she said to herself. Like the dream in the morning, this to felt very real.
As she walked, Lightning noticed she was wearing the male school uniform of her new school. She didn't like that jacket was buttoned up, so she unbuttoned it. And pulled out the white shirt that was tucked in. Once she was done change her uniform to her liking. She came across a strange red and black door with tilted squares on it.
Laying on the ground in front of her was the sword she just got. Once she picked it up, the door opened up suddenly. Gripping the handle, Lightning went in. The surrounding area was just fog. In the distance, Lightning could make out a silhouette of a person. "So... You are the one pursuing me..." the person laughed. "Try all you like..." Lightning growled at it's taunts.
Drawing her katana, and slashed at the person hidden in the fog. But, her blade went right through it. The person hummed. "It seems that you can see a little, despite the fog..." Lightning contemplated on what she would do next. A card in a blue flame appeared in front of her. Reaching out to it, the flame felt, cold for some odd reason. It was strange, yet this flame felt familiar.
Her mind then told her to crush it. Right when she was about to do it, Lightning unconsciously mouthed a word. "Persona." When the card was crushed in her hand, a blue whirlwind with red rose petals swirled around the teen.
Lightning felt something jump from behind her, she cloud hardly make a figure of a large horned knight with an S-shaped sword, in the fog.
It did a mighty slash, but like with Lightning, it didn't connect. "I see... Indeed... That is very interesting information... But... You will not catch me so easily... If what you seek is truth then your search will be even harder..." The knight jumped back to Lightning's side. Even right beside her, Lightning still can't see the knight.
All she can see was a pair of glowing green eyes. "Everyone sees what they want to... And the fog only deepens..." as the person said that, the fog grew even thicker. Lightning tough it best a direct attack would be a bad idea. Considering the heavy fog and that person may have a trap waiting for her. She needs a ranged attack.
Just then, Lightning heard the knight rise it's sword and a powerful bolt of lightning struck the figure in the fog. However, it too didn't connect. Lightning let out a frustrated groan. "...Will we meet again...? At a place other than here..." the person chuckled in amusement. "I look forward to it..." Lightning suddenly felt drowsy. She dropped her katana and the knight beside her vanished.
Fighting desperately to stay awake another figure appears from the fog. And this figure came from were the knight once was. This new person was dressed as a member of Organization XIII from the Kingdom Hearts. Just like them, the person's face was covered the black hood. There was one difference, though. They had a dark blue aura. "Soon, I'll be the true self." The hooded figure said in a distorted voice.
Before, Lightning could ask what they meant, she passed out.
A\N: This story will also be posted on Archive of Our Own. What are you thoughts about the story? Let me know with your reviews.