Disclaimer: I dont own Final Fantasy, I do own several OC's, Caleb Koba is the creation of 00virtuezero and credit for his design goes to him
Heya guys, this weekend I've finally posted the first chapters of three stories that will be my "focus" if you will after the completion of my Hunt storyline and spinoffs. One of these three fics is this particular story. I've read a few novelisations of Final fantasy games, some being loyal others being self-inserts. This is not a self-insert (I dont get why you'd call something a self insert anyway, even the writers themselves would admit they'd piss themselves if they actually fell into a game, no offence to self insert writers :) it is a novelisation of Final Fantasy 13 with a greater tie in to the second game, more plotpoints and the biggest change of all added characters. it is called Thirteen because the main cast or "party" if you will consists of Thirteen characters, six additional characters are OC's I and another writer created while the seventh is a mystery guest character from another Final Fantasy game.
I wrote this because I like the OC added into the game plot almost as much as I like playing the games themselves. Now onto the first chapter, I hope you all enjoy it
New Crystal Legends: The Thirteen
Chapter 1: Those who make Thirteen
There has been a great legend told throughout the ages. In a sense it is the first lesson a child learns. It states that in the beginning the god Bhunivelze defeated his mother Mwynn and took control of the visible world. But fearful of whatever curse Mwynn had left on the visible world, Bhunivelze created the Fal'Cie to open the doorway to the Unseen world, so that he could escape the curse of the Visible world. Led by their focuses, Pulse and Lindzei, the eldest and most powerful of Bhunivelze's offspring created the Fal'Cie of the worlds that would later become Pulse and Cocoon. However, Etro the youngest and most beautiful of the offspring was shamed by her lack of power. In her self-mutilation she created humanity, the leeches of the gods. Lindzei and Pulse selected their "chosen" their L'Cie to create and form the worlds that they would rule. Etro however discovered a means to travel to the Unseen world and in her shame fled to that world, where she found Mwynn. Consumed by the force of Chaos, Mwynn gave her granddaughter a focus. With the only ounce of her power, Etro took Chaos and installed it into the hearts of her creations. The curse that Bhunivelze feared had come to pass, humanity had formed hearts and thus the brutal cycle of war, subjugation, slaughter and hatred had begun.
The war of Transgression was fought between the L'Cie of Pulse and Cocoon. Hundreds died in the battles that raged between the two peoples. Blades pierced flesh, magic destroyed armour while technology shook the whole world and caused the sky itself to tremble. The Fal'Cie Pulse and Lindzei hated one another, and had come to hate their worshippers as well. For this war appeased neither gods and both sought the end of the other. Eventually a group of Pulse L'Cie managed to reach Cocoon and were successful in their focus. Cocoon's outer shell had been shattered. Yet hope remained as humanity managed to rebuild their paradise with pieces from the world below.
Cocoon floated above Pulse as a paradise for the Fal'Cie's chosen. But paradise has not been kept through ignorance. Cocoon must stand forever ready of any attack from Pulse. For the tragedy of that time cannot be repeated. So they will live preparing so that they can be ready for the day Pulse returns.
That is the legend, but truth can be a different matter all together. While it is true that the people of Cocoon live in peace, it is a peace bought on by fear and rampant paranoia. But most importantly of all is the cycle. History has a habit of repeating itself.
13 Days of awakening and fates intertwined. Thirteen crystals that control the fate of the world itself and thirteen souls that will not only defy fate but the gods themselves. 13 lives intertwined to defy their curses.
The woman whom tried to mask her past, but must now fight to save her present and future. A knight consumed by his blood lust, living off borrowed time. The man who fancies himself a hero, yet simply wishes to save everyone. An innocent girl praying on the fireworks, she seeks a miracle to stop the fighting. A father seeking to save his son yet stuck defending himself. The Paladin whose sceptical view of his government will be proven correct. A child seeking strength and purpose, be it revenge or justice. The woman who seeks peace and understanding with her music, yet is cursed by the gods. A shadow warrior stuck in the tragedy of his past, who will become the people's best hope. A soldier struggling with the actions of others and the internal conflict within himself. The fighter who is willing to defy the gods themselves if he has to. A warrior woman who will destroy the world if it means saving her friend. The bearer of the crystal whom is destined to rule his own land one day.
These thirteen soul's fates have been intertwined and it is they who will decide the fate of humanity.
The Sister
Lightning Farron watched the fireworks, but she didn't voice her awe like others did. She enjoyed them but they wouldn't distract her. After all Lightning Farron was a member of the Guardian Corps Bodhum security regiment. It wasn't her job to be distracted by pretty lights. She got paid to be focused and to fight and in her short career Lightning had proven to be a natural with the sword. Already she was a sergeant at Twenty years old. Then it occurred to Lightning, in another day she'd be twenty-one. It then occurred to Lightning that Serah had become increasingly busy. Between her studies, preparing Lightning's birthday party and hanging out with her loser boyfriend, Serah's life had become even more preoccupied than Lightning's. For years Lightning had been the breadwinner in the family, since the deaths of their parents. But now Serah was slowly becoming her own woman.
'To think it would be a boy that comes between us, damn Snow,' Lightning thought.
A few days ago she'd met Serah's boyfriend, the immature leader of an untrained civilian militia. They were just a bunch of kids that took down weak monsters. NORA was their name. Lightning made I quite clear to Snow her feelings in regards to him dating her sister.
"Stay away from Serah," she had said.
But Snow just flashed that annoying grin of his, furthering Lightning's dislike for him.
"Sergeant!"
Lightning turned and stood to attention as her superior walked towards her. Lieutenant Amador was an experience GC officer. His thick and plumb physique gave him a comforting presence, but Lightning knew first hand that when push came to shove, Amador was a leader to rely on.
"Enjoying the fireworks Farron?" Amador asked.
"Sir, I was just on my patrol route," Lightning said.
"Ease up sergeant, I heard it was your birthday soon," Amador said.
"Yes sir, its just a small dinner between my sister and I."
"You certainly deserve a break then, I'm recommending you for a promotion."
"Thank you sir," Lightning said, saluting the man.
"Enough of that Farron, go and enjoy your break, you've got a bright career ahead of you Farron, I'd hate for something to happen to jeopardise that," Amador lowered his head slightly before looking at the fireworks. "Psicom's sent men into the Vestige, they haven't heard anything back yet," he said.
Lightning looked at Amador with a mix of confusion and caution.
"I know I don't need to tell you this Lightning, but stay away from Psi-com!"
She nodded her head, agreeing with her superiors warning. Lightning didn't need to be told, after all she knew herself that Psicom's elites were beasts.
The knight
The fireworks weren't magic that much Kurai Crescent already knew. They were simple chemical reactions, triggered through fire and blasted into the air. It was a good show of human ingenuity. But that was it; everything else was up to the Fal'Cie. This was a Fal'Cie world and humans lived off of it. The Fal'Cie had provided warmth, food and light. Even the airship he now stood on was a minuscule achievement of humanity. Humans were capable of so much more and yet they still let themselves be ruled by the Fal'Cie. It was enough to make Kurai sicker. He hid his pale expression and dark ringed eyes behind his helmet. As a Psicom elite he was in the same class as the Executioners, yet different altogether. People called him a knight while others called him a beast. He wore a black mesh suit that covered his whole body. Over the suit he had attached the armour he had designed himself. The red and black pads had become his pride and joy, for they were a show of his smith skills. Every pad connected and was fashioned in a way that allowed it to move with Kurai's body. He had complete freedom of movement and an absolute defence. Spikes extended from the back of the shoulders and the helmet. The helmet itself was based on a dragon's head; the faceplate had just a simple pair of eyes, allowing Kurai to see his commanding officer.
Kurai hated Yaag Rosch with all his being, even more so than the man that bore the same design as his armour. Yaag Rosch was a Psicom officer and he wore the uniform to match his authority. The man standing at his side was Vanitas Nox Kurai, record keeper of Eden and a warrior. He wore armour that was very similar to Kurai's, but the different was in Vanitas shoulder armour. Vanitas's shoulder armour wasn't spike, but it was thick and held a red cloak that hung down to Vanitas's feet. He was a giant of a man, with an expression that reflected his contempt for the fireworks.
"My men have failed to report back in, you know what this means don't you?" Yaag asked Vanitas.
"Yes," Vanitas said.
His voice was cold, yet fierce in a way that matched his status as a warrior.
"This is for the good of the people," Yaag sighed.
"Kill the infected and wipe out any chance of a Pulse infection," Vanitas said.
"Kill…but the Purge is a relocation operation."
Yaag and Vanitas turned to Kurai, who stepped away from the two men, his body language conveying his shock. He narrowed his eyes at Yaag and Vanitas, his hand drifting to the lance on his back.
"Since when have you cared about the details of a mission Kurai, your mission is to carry out the Purge, only then will you get the Gil you so value," Vanitas explained.
"I'm paid to carry out the mission to the letter, Nabaat described the Purge to me as a relocation operation, put the people who had been in contact with the Vestige and the L'Cie onto a train for relocation to Pulse. That was the mission, wasn't it?" Kurai asked.
Yaag sighed as he stepped forward.
"This is the only option available to us, we must do this for the people," Yaag said.
Kurai raised his head, gripping his lance as his shoulders shook.
"Are you serious?" he asked, taking a step forward.
The Executioners around him slid their lances to battle mode, slamming them to the ground. They correctly interpreted Kurai's actions as hostile.
"You take civilians, put them under the ruse of relocation and then kill them! This is not such a bad thing. But then…you have the gall, the nerve to self-righteously say that your doing it for the people! YOU DAMNED HYPOCRITE!"
The Executioners widened their eyes as Kurai suddenly jumped towards Yaag. He was inches from spearing the man. Suddenly, Vanitas appeared in front of Kurai, slamming his fist into the man's helmet. The force of Vanitas's punch threw Kurai back, shattering his helmet's faceplate. His lance slammed into the ground as he slid towards the airship's drop hatch. Kurai looked towards Vanitas, his blue eyes glaring at the man.
"Is this the path you have choosing boy?" Vanitas asked.
"It is," Kurai growled.
"Then may Etro watch over you, for the other gods wont," Vanitas said.
"I HAVE NO NEED FOR GODS!" Kurai yelled, slamming his hand into the release hatch.
Yaag and the other soldiers grabbed the safety rails as the hatch opened. Kurai was sucked out of the ship, straight into the air of Bodhum and the fireworks festival-taking place. He yelled as the shockwaves of the fireworks threw him like a rag doll across the sky. His flailing form went unnoticed by the people of Bodhum. Kurai clicked his fingers together, activating the anti-gravity unit. A blue light that slowed his descent surrounded his form. The wind threw off his helmet, but Kurai quickly grabbed it. Instead the wind struck his short yet wild red hair. Kurai calmed his expression as he got closer and closer to the sea of Bodhum's beach. He dived into the water, immediately coming up for air. Swimming to the beach, Kurai noticed that the lights were on at the local café. He then spotted a couple standing by the beach.
'They have to be told about the Purge and what it really is,' Kurai thought.
He suddenly stopped, falling to his knees as he clutched his chest. Kurai's vision blurred as he breathed heavily. Suddenly, Kurai spat blood onto the sand, clutching his mouth as he choked. He tore at the surface of the sand, gagging and forcing himself to cough out the blood that evacuated his body.
"Damn it," Kurai growled as the idiotic blond by the beach jumped and yelled, "she said yes!"
The pair never noticed Kurai as he fell unconscious.
Kurai: First impression of Snow, what an idiot!
The hero
Today was officially the happiest day of Snow Villiers life. Despite the obstacles in their way, her sister and her curse, Serah had accepted his proposal. She and Snow were engaged at last. Snow had never been happier than he was now. Taking his fiancé, Snow and Serah hitched a ride on an air bike and flew amongst the fireworks, getting a greater view of the lights. The sight was truly wondrous and there was no one else on Cocoon Snow would have rather shared this moment with than Serah. They both looked at the fireworks in awe and for a moment they forgot their problems. For a moment Snow forgot that the woman he loved was now on a time limit. They slowly and gently kissed one another, tears falling down Serah's eyes.
L'Cie are marked and given a focus. By completing their focus they gain eternal life as a crystal. But if they have not completed their focus in the allotted time then they are turned into monstrous Cieth, monsters of pure crystal. Serah was bound by a focus she couldn't fully understand. But it didn't matter to Snow, he'd be there for the woman he loved, he'd transcend time itself if it meant being with her.
The innocent
Cocoon was a world of wonders, but the red haired girl was more afraid than hopeful. She looked at the people around her. They were all like her in a way, living off borrowed time. But they were ignorant, and she had most of the answers. Sometimes was ignorance was bliss, for having all the answers can be a heavy burden. She knew truths that she had rather not found out. This moment of peace, joy and wonder for the people of Cocoon was the calm before the storm. Yet despite how hopeless it seemed Vanille bowed her head and linked her fingers together. She prayed for a miracle that would stop the suffering.
The father
Sazh Katzroy was not in a happy mood. True he was in Bodhum, enjoying the wondrous fireworks with his son on his back, but it was only a momentary escape. His son's plight still haunted Sazh. Dajh was a L'Cie faced with the defence of Cocoon against its enemy Pulse. Yet Sazh didn't know what enemy Dajh had to face, and even if the boy were fully aware of his situation, Sazh would not let a child face whatever hell Pulse had unleashed on Cocoon.
"Did you make a wish daddy?" Dajh asked.
Sazh sighed as he looked up at his son, imagining the innocent expression on his face.
"I wished that you'd be happy again," Dajh said.
Sazh tried to hold back a tear before bouncing Dajh on his shoulders.
"Well what do you know, your wish came true," Sazh laughed with his son.
It was for his son, everything Sazh planned to do was for his son.
The child
Ignorance truly was bliss. For the only problem facing a child and his mother was the absence of his father. He pretended that it didn't matter to him and he was content to watch the fireworks at his mother's side.
"Not making a wish hope?" Nora Eshteim asked.
The silver haired boy shook his head: "Mom…you still believe in that kids stuff?" he turned away in embarrassment.
"Who you calling kid?" the woman smiled as she ruffled her son's hair.
Hope hugged his mother's arm, smiling as he looked up at the fireworks.
"So what did you wish for?" he asked.
"That next year your father could make it," Nora said.
Hope's happy expression was quickly replaced by anger as he looked at the ground.
"Why, its better like this, we don't need him," he said.
Nora shook her head, locking her arm with Hope's. She could never stay angry with her boy. They watched the fireworks together, wooing with the crowd. Suddenly, someone bumped into Hope, knocking him to the sand. Nora turned to the individual, but only spotted the back of a man in black clothing. He turned his head for a moment and for a moment Nora swore she saw a flash of red in his eyes. She helped Hope get off the floor, wiping the sand off his face.
"Mom quit babying me," Hope groaned.
Despite the situation Nora laughed. For this night she had no worries.
The shadow
Sometimes people asked themselves, why am I here? It was a question he asked himself everyday. Peace never came easy and Cocoon is living proof. He rolled up his scar, covering his mouth as he always did. Standing at the base of an airship, he silently watched the fireworks and the people who adored them. His existence was unclear, why am I alive he might ask himself. But there was one certainty in his life and that was his skill. His gloved hands reached to the giant Shuriken attached to his hips. They were his pride and his joy was the force of his jumps. He could jump higher than a Chocobo. But that was all useless unless he was faced with something that tested his limits.
He was a shadow to society, an ignored without family or friends. Everyday he questioned the existence of people like him, people born with no other skill than fighting. What was all this hate, fear and paranoia in aid of? That was the big question that needed answering. His name was Axis King, a mere shadow to the gods.
"May they enjoy their happiness, while it lasts!"
The huntress
No amount of alcohol could drown her sorrows, or rather her frustrations. She'd never admit that not being able to find her friend was upsetting, that as more time passed she would slowly lose every bit of hope. Not even the booze did her good, or the astonishingly good food at the beachside café.
"You still looking for your friend?"
Fang nodded her head at the dark haired woman, accepting another drink.
"Oh there you are!"
The paladin
He'd passed by Lebreau's café several times, but had never actually been there. Now on the day of the fireworks festival he spotted the person he'd been looking for. His appearance didn't go unnoticed by the people that recognised Sanctum robes. But tonight and perhaps tomorrow he wouldn't be a Sanctum Paladin, but a man from Cocoon meeting someone that should have been his sworn enemy. He found the woman sitting at the bar, dressed in her blue Sari, her beauty hidden by her depressed expression and the bangs of her wild hair. Placing his finned helmet at the bar, he took up a stool and set next to the woman. Blue bands covered his wrists, while silver armour covered his chest and waist. The armour was built with decorations that resembled the fins of a fish. The fins were particularly apparent on the sides of the helmet and the shoulders and waist of his armour. His arms were exposed, while pale blue cloth covered his legs like a robe. He smiled as he motioned for the barmaid to pour him whatever his companion was drinking.
"So how long have you been looking for me?" the beauty asked, an odd yet attractive accent decorated her voice.
"Quite a while, thought I'd never find you again, you gave me quite a chase," he spoke softly, as if their upbringings were forgotten on this night.
"I pack quite a punch too," she said.
"No question there," the Paladin smiled, rubbing a bruise on his cheek.
"What do you want anyway?"
"What do I want?" he asked the question to himself, thinking for a moment. "I've had enough really, the rampant paranoia, the fear and the hate, I want peace, though I guess for a start I'd like understanding…beginning with your name," he looked at the huntress, who looked back.
She loosened her grip on her lance and slid her glass to his hand. Standing up, she slapped him on the back and bought her face close to his ear.
"Fang, you'll have to find me to hear the rest of it," she whispered.
He turned his head, watching the blue robed beauty walked into the crowds of people. Standing away from the bar, he tried to find her again. But like a hunter, she disappeared once again. A smile crossed his face as he felt his pocket. She'd taken some of his Gil. Raido Callen shook his head as he chuckled.
"Very well Fang, I'll find you again," he whispered.
"Here's your drink sir, that'll be fifty gill plus the gill from your friend's drinks, that'll be 600 Gil altogether," Lebreau said.
Raido widened his eyes anime style.
"She robs me then she leaves me to pay for her rounds, I'm definitely going to find her again," Raido growled as flames appeared in his eyes.
The songstress
"Thank you Bodhum, you've been a great audience!"
Abigail Nara mainly sung at Nautilus but she never missed Bodhum's fireworks festival. As a rising star she refused to be driven down by business commitments. The people of Cocoon were in need of a little hope. So Abigail chose to give them that hope and enjoy the fireworks at the same time. Twelve days ago she had announced her tour of Bodhum, it began with her singing and would end with her singing on this special night. The sixteen-year-old girl practically bathed in the light of the fireworks, they would be her spotlights and the beach would be her stage. A smile crossed the girls face as she saw all the friends she had made over the course of her twelve-day tour. She saw Vanille praying, Hope and his mother, that brooder Lightning, Snow and his gang. They along with many others came not only to watch the fireworks but to listen to her song as well.
"Even if it is dark and hard times for us, I wouldn't give up our heart!" she closed the song, smiling as they applauded her.
It was official; today was the day for Abigail's career.
The conduit
Today was the day; Bodhum had been allowed to enjoy its fireworks festival but as the sun rose, the people would soon be gathered for the Purge. Throughout his life, Caleb Koba had lived the same existence as every other person on Cocoon. He had been raised in an orphanage and one of the few lessons he had learnt was to fear Pulse, the world below Cocoon. Like any other civilian, Caleb had been raised with the belief that Pulse could attack at any moment. He joined Psicom and spent three years preparing for that event. But now that the Pulse Vestige and L'Cie had been discovered, Caleb couldn't keep his hands from shaking. He rubbed his silver hair and tanned skin, trying desperately to calm his nerves. Yet still his hands shook.
His fear was perhaps well felt, justified because throughout Cocoon's history, such an event as the Purge had never been carried out. Caleb looked amongst the members of his squad. Unlike him they were all prepared to do what was necessary to protect cocoon, even if it meant banishing their own citizens. The squad leader in particular was adamant about the details of their job; protect Cocoon no matter the cost. He tapped his gun blade against the wall of the drop ship, catching everyone's attention.
"Listen up everyone, we've received reports from our forces at Bodhum, they've cut off all escape access so we'll have no problem rounding the civilians up. Get them out of their homes and take them to the Purge train, coastal forces are dealing the L'cie and its accomplice," the commander explained.
"Accomplice? Sir someone's helping the L'Cie?" Caleb asked.
"Yes, our own citizens have begun to betray us, or perhaps they are caught by a Pulse spell, it matters little, the rebel group are a bunch of ill trained monster hunters that fancy themselves heroes. They are not a threat to us, what we must remain vigilant for is the presence of a traitor within our own ranks," the soldiers began muttering amongst themselves:
"A traitor? Who in the world would betray Psicom?"
"I heard Colonel Rosch was attacked the night of the fireworks festival, but I had no idea the traitor escaped!"
"The predictions of a Pulse invasion seem true, could the traitor be a Pulse L'Cie in disguise?"
"Enough all of you," the commander said, stepping down the walkway, looking at each soldier. "We are the Elite Enforcers of Psicom, it is we who have received the best training, the best equipment and have been declared the best. The Marauders, Executioners, and Knights and Templars are but beasts, beasts that can be tamed and enslaved by their masters. Kurai Crescent is but a rabid animal, an animal we shall put down!"
As the Commander closed his speech, the men hoorayed the man's encouragement and optimism. Caleb however remained silent; he wasn't he type of man to openly admit his feelings. At 19 he was a reserved and anti-social individual, for reasons that can be bought up later. His focus now was on the job and getting through this one day without trouble. Fastening the helmet to his head, Caleb grabbed his rifle and walked with the other enforcers. Amongst the Psicom foot soldiers Caleb had little to stand out. The skirt of his uniform was shorter while a customised, discus shaped shield with a spike attached to the front was equipped to his right arm. Caleb moved with his fellow soldiers through the town of Bodhum, knocking at people's doors and watching as others simply dragged the men and women out of their homes. A sudden cry caused Caleb to point his gun at one of the houses. He sighed with a mix of relief and anger as a Psicom enforcer dragged a woman out of her house.
"Koba, check the alleyways and do be careful, it's very dark down there," Caleb's commander taunted the young man.
Caleb turned around, huffing as he walked away.
"Is that why you're not going down there? Yeah that's what I should have said," Caleb muttered as he walked down the alleyway.
He stopped as he heard the sound of trashcans crashing together. Caleb kept his rifle aimed down the alleyway, his hands shaking with every second that passed.
"We su…"
"AAAGH!" Caleb screamed as he turned around.
The next few seconds were like a blur to Caleb as he pulled the trigger on his rifle. Seconds passed and the gun clicked as the last bullet ejected from the barrel. Caleb looked where his rifle had been pointed. He stepped back in horror at the bloody site before him. His hands shook as he loosened his grip on the rifle. Caleb slipped off his helmet, completely overwhelmed by the bodies left in the wake of his rifle. He looked at the gun again, his gun had done this.
"HGAGH!"
Caleb stumbled back in fear and horror. He saw a survivor, crawling over the bodies. His legs and shoulder were riddled with bullet holes, but he was still alive.
"M-Medic…MEDIC!" Caleb yelled.
A gunshot suddenly echoed through the alleyway. Caleb looked to his commander in shock, the barrel of his gun pointed at the survivor. Turning his head, Caleb clutched his neck as he felt the urge to vomit. His commander had just shot the survivor. The man callously walked past Caleb, stomping the bodies with his foot. He turned to Caleb, opening his mask to reveal a casual expression.
"Don't worry yourself too much, just between you and me, we were planning on killing them anyway!"
Caleb only processed the words when his commander patted his shoulder, as if congratulating him on a job well done. As soon as the commander had left, Caleb fell to his knees and ejected the contents of his stomach. He wiped his mouth with his glove and stared at the discarded rifle on the floor.
"My gun, my gun did this!" he muttered. "What the hell-what the hell happened to us?"
He slammed his fist into the ground as he cried.
The fighter
He stepped out of his home and looked upon the carnage being wrought upon Bodhum. His heart sank as he heard the sound of gunfire.
"So this is how far we have gone," he said.
He'd been so focused on what was happening to Bodhum that he didn't notice that his hand was shaking. It wasn't fear or anger, but excitement that shook his body. As he walked through the streets of Bodhum he found many that hid from the Psicom soldiers. Some stuck to the shadows, others hid in the alleys, while some tried to run. Again he heard the gunshots and again it made his hands shake.
"Where are they going to take us next, how far are they going to go with this?" he wondered.
His path took him to an alleyway, where he found the bodies of those that tried to escape. Again his hands shook as he walked amongst the bodies. He clutched his heart, shaking his head with anger and denial.
"These people, they're human, they are our people," he whispered as he looked to the sky.
He fixed his gaze on the Psicom airship, an airship that housed those that commanded this operation. Yet where was its logic, what proof was there that this "infection" existed. And even so, why was that infection a bad thing. How could L'Cie's spread their powers through simple touch. If the people of Bodhum were in any way under Pulse influence then they obviously would have done something to warrant the Sanctum acting like this. Why then were they taken from their homes or killed on the streets.
"This is our home, we wont give it up," he growled, squeezing his hands into fists.
His hands still shook, yet his resolve was strengthened by the vents of this day. With renewed purpose Vega Crossroad reached for the communication device in his bag and called a few friends.
13 people cursed by fate, yet driven to defy that fate.
Hanging Edge
Destiny is a force that can sometimes never be fought. So when two groups meet with opposed views then it is only natural for those views to clash. In the case of humanity, it is duty vs. survival. Individuals led by duty and individuals led by their survival instincts. For Lightning Farron it is the duty to save her sister residing in the Pulse Vestige. Getting there was simply a matter of reaching the Hanging Edge. Accomplishing this task meant getting onto the purge train. Getting on was easy; they never questioned her desire to be purged. The rest was just a simple matter of patience. She waited for the perfect moment to strike.
"You serious?" the man beside her asked.
"Be quiet," she hissed at him.
All of the Purge victims were labelled not just by their name, but by the white and blue robes they had been forced to wear. Lightning decided to endure the hesitance of the man beside her until they reached the specific point she was counting on. The Purge train was a bumpy ride, especially when it reached the Hanging edge. Lightning immediately ran off of her chair; flip kicking the guard patrolling the clam. She landed on the remote that controlled all of the prisoner's cuffs.
"She did it," Sazh remarked, watching the former Guardian Corps soldier work.
She broke off into a run, kicking the two guards that stepped out to see what the commotion was. Even without her gun blade, Lightning was still a skilled fighter. She moved with a touch of grace in her fighting style. That and the gravity unit she had snuck on board enabled her to "fly" through the tram, firing the two assault rifles she took and gunning down every guard in her path. When the final guard fell she dropped her gun and recovered Blaze edge, her personal gunblade.
"They want to fight too," Sazh said, leading several fully armed and released Purge prisoners.
"Good for them," Lightning huffed.
Lightning ignored the presence of the new arrivals and looked out of the window of the train. The wind swept her hair back and she looked at the Hanging Edge district. It was a place that consisted of multiple freeways and train lines, all of them "hanging" over a black pit that would be the end of any soul unfortunate enough to fall off the roads. The Hanging edge was the perfect place to carry out the Purge. As a forbidden area, no one would go there to watch a massacre. Lightning knew that Psicom had its own ulterior motives when she spotted the airships shooting at the other Purge trains. She wasn't sure exactly how it happened, but within moments of arriving at the hanging edge, civilians had become soldiers and the simple relocation became a skirmish.
Psicom soldiers shot at Purge prisoners escaping from the wrecked remains of a Purge train. Anyone lucky enough to pick up a gun shot back, lighting Hanging edge up in a blaze of gunfire. Despite their bravery, the rebel militia was no match for the superior technology and numbers of Psicom. Pantheron's and Psi-com behemoths were launched from the warp gates, straight onto the roads the rebels and Purge escapees were walking down. Pantheron's chased after a large group of Purge escapees. Hope held his mother's hand and Vanille looked back at the creatures getting closer and closer to her group. She paused slightly as she spotted a robed man walking past the escapees. He threw off the Purge robe, revealing his blue armour.
Raido slowly gripped the sword on his hip armour. When the Pantheron's pounced on him, he drew the blade, revealing the ornate, marked edge of his sword the "sea king". Unlike his armour, the sword was a pale green colour and resembled the fin of a fish. An oath was inscribed into the sword in a language that had long been forgotten by Cocoon. But Raido had not forgotten its meaning as he slashed each and every Pantheron apart. With simple one-handed slashes he cut the creatures into halves. The bodies fell and the Purge escapees looked at Raido in shock. He turned his head, looking at the civilians.
"Follow me and I'll help you find a way out of here," gone was the friendly tone he had used with Fang the other night.
On this day, Raido was fulfilling his duty as a Paladin and protecting the innocent.
Sazh knew he had a duty as a father and that meant fighting through whatever obstacle was in his way. He didn't fully understand Lighting's reason for fighting, but he stuck with her all the same. Firing his Vega 42's, Sazh attacked the Manasvin war mech that had stopped their train in its tracks. Lighting jumped over the Manasvin's buzz saw blades, attacking its head with her sword. She flipped back, narrowly avoiding the mech's arms. Pushing forward, Lightning delivered a series of cuts to the war mech's hull. She landed in a crouch while Sazh fired into the cuts, damaging the mech further. The Manasvin war mech then began charging the weapon in its tail. Lightning and Sazh braced themselves, only for something to slam into the mech, knocking the blaster's aim off of the road. Lighting fixed her gaze on the projectile, which span like a disk into the hands of a man riding on top of one of the Psi-com battle ships.
Axis grabbed his shuriken, immediately jumping off the fighter as it slammed into one of the train lines. The ninja wielded a gigantic shuriken and a hook launcher he used to swing himself onto a Purge train. With precise timing and expert aim, the ninja threw his shuriken at the lock connecting all the trams behind him. The front section of the train kept on travelling down the line, leaving the trams with the Bodhum citizens behind. Axis's scarf waved around like a cloak as he loaded another hook into his launcher. He fired it onto a passing airship, intending to repeat his previous action on as many Purge trains he could catch up with.
Snow aimed for one goal, save everybody. After all that was a hero's duty. He led his gang down one of the ruined freeways, punching anyone in his way. Macqui and Yuj were at the back, picking up whatever weapons were left behind as Snow, Lebreau and Gadot fought their way through the Psicom regiment. Snow threw a grenade, blowing two troopers back. Despite their training, Psicom wasn't prepared for the arrival of a civilian militia. Lebreau fired a flare from her gun, giving people a signal that people were still fighting. Gadot poked his head out of cover, firing a full clip at the Psi-com troops approaching them. Snow ran forward, punching and kicking the Psicom troops that blocked his way. His goal was like a battle plan, a naïve one but a simple goal that moved him forward. He planned to save the people of Bodhum, reach the Vestige and rescue Serah. That was his duty!
Vega was very similar to Snow in the fact that he too had a simple goal. He formed a simple battle plan; fight! His fists flew with the force of a hammer, smashing the helmets of any Psicom trooper unfortunate enough to get in his way. Behind him stood his two friends, both of them supporting him in his charge to Purge survivors. Like him they covered their faces with hoods. But while Vega's hooded, sleeveless jacket was a red colour, they wore brown and white respectively.
"Tyson, look out behind you," Vega said.
Tyson, the white hooded thief twirled his daggers around, applying multiple cuts to a Pantheron that tried attacking him from behind. He jumped behind a Psicom soldier, picking his pocket before stabbing him in the back. Vega yelled as he slammed his armoured fist into a Psicom marauder, knocking the elite back. He turned to his other ally, a dragoon warrior. The spear wielded jumped over Vega, thrusting his spear into the Marauder's gut. But that wasn't the end of his rampage; he swung the spear around, hitting Psicom raiders and Pantheron's with the body of the Marauder. Finally, he launched the body into the air, giving Vega the opening he needed. Pulling his fist back, Vega slammed his fist into the Marauder, sending him flying into a whole squadron of his men.
"GET IN MY WAY IF YOU DARE! I swear on this fist, NOTHING WILL KEEP ME FROM CRUSHING PSI-COM!" Vega roared.
Axis heard the yell of the fighter as he swung by. He let go of his line, rolling behind the fighter and his group. Throwing his Shuriken, Axis beheaded a Behemoth as it pounced towards Vega. Vega then punched what was left of the body, knocking it off the road. He turned to Axis, only for the ninja to run on the path ahead. Axis grabbed his shuriken, jumping as hard as he could. He planted his foot on the head of an airborne trooper, using him as a stepping-stone to reach a passing hover bike. The bikes pilot was so astonished by Axis's speed that he could only scream as he was kicked out of his seat.
"Maybe you should have strengthened your legs instead of your fists," Dragoon said, causing Tyson to laugh and Axis to frown.
"Spare me the martial arts shit, just go in there and swing your arms as hard as you can, that'll knock anyone out," Axis snarled as he slammed his fists together.
Sweat drops ran down the back of Tyson and Dragoon's heads as Axis waved his hands around, groaning in pain.
Caleb couldn't stomach holding his rifle. He kept the weapon clipped to his belt as he and his squad airdropped onto the road. The callousness of his superior officer and Rosch's orders were two of many things that occupied Caleb's mind. His thoughts had become a jumbled mess of anxious, paranoid and overwhelmed emotions. Were people really infected by Pulse? What this the beginning of a Pulse invasion? Or the downfall of the paradise Cocoon had been built into? Could the Fal'Cie be betraying humanity? Where the gods casting down those they saw as unworthy? Or had the Primarch lost his mind? Questions like these haunted Caleb but there was one question that took precedence over all the others.
'Can I find retribution for what I've done? Is it possible to redeem myself in some way?' Caleb wondered.
The Nineteen year old stumbled back as two bikes slammed together. A ninja jumped out of the explosion, seemingly diving into the abyss of hanging edge. Time seemed to slow as Axis fell, locking his eyes with the young Psicom enforcer. Caleb saw in the ninja's eyes a resolve that was much stronger than his own. The ninja fell and Caleb resumed his run with his other squad mates. He came to a halt as his squads raised their rifles at a group of Purge escapees, or at least would be escapees. A man in silver and blue armour led them.
"Stop, you people don't have to do this," Raido said, holding his sword out.
"Orders come from the top, they're all infected, wipe them out," the squad leader said, raising his rifle.
"We really have to kill them all?" Caleb asked.
Caleb looked at the group, seeing people that were only a few years younger then him. Teenagers like him, why did they have to die?
"All threats to Cocoon must be destroyed," the Commander said.
"Then destroy them, and leave the people to live their lives," Raido growled.
'What should I do?' Caleb wondered as he looked between his squad and the people he was tasked with killing.
His hands shook as he reached for his rifle.
"Send more troops in? Why not just collapse all the bridges?"
The Psicom troopers gathered around the Psicom Executioner. He growled as he got off the line with his superiors.
"We've received the order, go in and permanently Purge all the civilians," the Executioner said.
The Psicom troopers loaded their weapons and saluted the Executioner. He narrowed his eyes slightly as he saw a figure walking down the road, straight towards them. Sliding his lance into battle mode, the Executioner raised his hand, signalling his troops to gather together. He lowered the limb as he saw the figure draw a curved sword from his waist. Kurai's legs shook with anticipation, as he looked the Executioner in the eyes. Before leaving Bodhum he had gathered enough materials to synthesize his new weapon. They were the shield: Guardian and the cutlass: Redeemer. He had also taken a thick beige cloak to give his neck and body some warmth. His broken helmet rested on his head and his purpose remained clear.
"Your greatest crimes are not killing citizens of Cocoon. Mass murder is not so great a crime; your greatest crime is having the audacity, the nerve to kill the people of Cocoon and say that your doing it for Cocoon! I CANT STAND THAT KIND OF HYPOCRISY!" Kurai yelled as he ran forward.
"Come traitor," The Executioner hovered towards Kurai, thrusting his lance at the knight.
Kurai swung his sword around and dived headfirst into the fight. His instinct was to kill and his resolve was vengeance.
The bearer
He watched the trains depart, knowing they would be carrying the beginning of the end of the god's order. Hearing a click behind him, the young man turned to see multiple Psicom enforcers approaching him. They were simple men; incapable of questioning the world they lived in. He however was not a simple man. He bore a crystal and a destiny far greater than he imagined. Even he was ignorant to where this path would take him and the twelve other souls that would soon join him. Turning to face his would be attackers, he closed his eyes. The enforcers backed away in fear as the air distorted and sparks began to appear around the young man. He moved his hand, creating several steel constructs that floated around him. His hand grabbed a sword that suddenly appeared from the mass of metal. The enforcers began firing as the young man's hair turned blue and his eyes glowed red.
The Thirteen of us turned out to be not only the end for Cocoon, but for the gods themselves.
Next Chapter 2: Beast of Psicom
I hope everyone enjoyed the first chapter, it might be a while before i get the next one in, but if demand is big enough i'll update it sooner.
Yep the special guest character is Noctis from Final Fantasy Versus. I know we dont know much about him, but from what I do know I'm going to write him into the Final Fantasy 13 universe. Hope I did well, the characters took some time for me to think of, Caleb Koba is 00virtuezero's so credit goes to him for that one.
Kurai will serve as pretty much the main focus OC while Lightning serves as the main focus of the official characters. Jihl Nabaat's fate will be altered to make her more of a rival to Lightning, while Kurai will get his own rival with a major role to play as well. But everyone of the Thirteen has a role to play along with the other characters, I have no intention of getting overwhelmed by the number of characters in the story. Send me a review and tell me what you thought of the chapter please