i know i said this probably wouldn't be as updated as much, but i got too excited and went on a roll X) so a faster update! enjoy everyone


Blame: to place responsibility for, at fault; blast, damn

He couldn't grasp it. Every time he asked if anyone knew the where abouts of Lightning Farron, a soldier that was to be his "guide" here in Cocoon while Shinra helped them with their rise of monsters. Only thing was, he wasn't given the exact location on where to find this Lightning, and he was left to wander around the base, seeking for this soldier. Not even a description was informed of him about this Lightning. While the more important SOLDIERS were lead away to help some General Rygdea, he was informed to help this Lightning.

That is, if he could find this Lightning.

No description of him, no location; Zack frowned darkly at this, wondering how well this military was. He may not have been as important as the 1st Class, didn't mean he should be completely looked over.

But it didn't help much now, from his understanding, they suffered a severe attack and went through a fairly rough time. Of what, he really doesn't know. Something about fal'Cie, whatever those were. Whatever they were, they were bad and it put Cocoon in a mess.

And that was why Shinra sent SOLDIERS here.

Zack sighed as he crept through the crowd at this HQ, helpless as he searched for this Lightning. At first, he was excited for this trip. It was a whole new world after all. With new sights and people and foes; and the dragging moment of struggling to find a way to get started on it all.

Where was this Lightning?

He had asked, but in return for it, all he got were dark looks and murmurs.

"The monster?"

"L'Cies are trouble, I'd stay away."

"Don't mention that name to me, don't mention that traitor."

"Lightning? Here? Sanctum actually let that monster back in?"

Either way, he wasn't having a lot of luck, and was beyond confused. From what he gathered, it seemed this Lightning had a role to play for Cocoon's condition, and for whatever the reason, was welcomed back into the military.

He just didn't know anymore.

If Lightning did cause this mess, why he was even allowed back into this military, allowed to work and try and save these people, making lives easier.

Atoning for sins?

That was the only thing he could think of to answer his muses.

A light bump against his chest catches his attention, and he looks down to see surprised teal eyes stare back at him, before they dimmed and turned to the bundled files in the owner's arms. "Sorry," he uttered, drawing back to give this chance meeting room, overlooking them and blinking in surprise, especially when he felt his heart skip a slight beat, his breath hitching.

As far as he knew, the only women in their military were of the Turks, but even they were a rare sight to see. It wasn't often that he saw women in the military, and so far, this was the first one he's seen here.

So far though, she didn't look like someone that belonged in a military.

Pale pink locks, a heart shaped face; her skin appeared to be unmarked and free of any scars and bruises; despite this, he could see that she was stronger than most woman, she did have some muscles, but not obviously so. Her small frame hid them well. Like everyone else here, she wore a brightly colored vest, white with hues of brown scattered about, and on her shoulder was a plate with two glowing yellow lines on it. She had a velvet red cape sweeping on her shoulders, adding to her majestic appearance.

Those guarded teal eyes flickered back up to him, they blinked once, before she gave him a curt nod and slipped past him, the files clung tight in her hold. Zack's eyes followed after her, hardly able to tear himself away it seemed.

He was curious. Even more so when he saw the other people here shift away, moving away from her, like she was a plague, or a bomb just waiting to happen. Despite the seclusion, the woman held herself high and firm, almost oblivious to these distant stares and actions.

Zack couldn't help but wonder how could she deal with such things. How could she not be bothered by this? He was sure that actions like these would drastically deflate his day, to a point he probably wouldn't bother coming to work at all.

Maybe it was pity.

Maybe it was that sudden spark of attraction.

Maybe it was curiosity.

His feet moved on their own and he found himself following the odd woman. Like her, he ignored the stares, keeping his trained to her back; it actually helped with distracting him from all the looks that were sent his way.

It wasn't till they were in an empty hallway did she turn to him.

"What," came the firm, curt growl as sharp teal eyes glared up at him accusingly, and Zack noted that one of her hands twitched back to a holster that hung at her side, the hilt of some large gun waiting loyally behind her.

He offered her an assuring grin, half trying to ease her, half pleading that the tension would dim. He didn't know what she was going through here, but it must not have been pleasant for her to be so tense around him. "Think you can help me?" he piped, his hands automatically coming up, showing her that he meant no harm. He had a question, that was all.

"Depends," she stated, still not dropping her guard.

"Do you know who Lightning is?"

"…Lightning Farron?"

"Yeah! That's the one, I'm told I'm supposed to work with him, but I can't find this guy anywhere, and no one really gave me a description of him and—"

"I am Lightning," came the short, annoyed, and possibly even more guarded reply than before. Zack practically tensed at that, turning his gaze to her, feeling himself pale even more as his features were frozen in a warm smile that he couldn't seem to drop.

"You… your oh, well, I'm sorry, I assumed, uh, well I… er…oh," was all he could scramble out, flushing before the stone faced woman, watching as her eyes narrowed darkly.

"You're the SOLDIERS? From Shinra?" she asked, tilting her head at him.

"One of them," confirmed, nearly slumping in relief as the subject changed to something he was comfortable with.

"I see," she mused, lowering her guard and straightening her posture back to what it was originally. "Let's go then, I have these files to deliver, then we'll head out to help in the field." She turned away, resuming her pace as she went off towards wherever the files had to be dropped off at.

Zack tilted his head at her, before shrugging and following after; probably more intrigued than before. Licking his lips and steeling himself, he braved himself, opening his mouth to ask.

He was cut off by the answer.

"Don't get too comfortable," her voice rang out, "I doubt we'll be working long together."

"Why?" came his automatic reply.

She glanced at him from over her shoulder, her eyes dark and the teal in them hidden by the shadows casted by her hair. Her next words came out simple, like a fact that she no longer cared about and was something to brush off. Truth to be told though, they ran his blood cold, leaving his even more confused and lost than ever about this enigmatic woman.

"They'll probably move you to a different section; they probably wouldn't want you working with a monster. At least, not for long."


This chapter is inspired by a LightningxZack story called: Heroes, by Aaheli. For those that haven't read it, Shinra sends troops to Cocoon to help them wipe out some of the monsters on Pulse as they make that shift over to Gran Pulse. Sadly, it hasn't been updated in quite a while.

Now it's a thought I had for a while, but since Lightning and the others were shown on TVs all over Cocoon, I've always wondered if they were ever blamed for the destruction of it. Never has there been a fic that I've read yet about them suffering from the views of their peers, and they did play apart for Cocoon's state. Did people really overlook them? I doubt that they all pinned the blame on the fal'Cie, I'm sure some resentment was shot at the past l'Cies as well.

Actually, between Serah and Lightning, Lightning's pink hair is paler, and Serah's darker.