I, unfortunately, have no claim on Final Fantasy, Square Enix, or any of the characters/locations/what-have-you therein.

Thoughts are italicized.


Part Two: Battle

Location: Palumpolum

Lightning ran everywhere. Being a part of the Guard Corps had made her into a machine of uncanny endurance and skill. Even before entering the service, she had maintained a lifestyle of various physical activities. Running was easy for her, effortless. Right now, though, it did not feel like her normal training routine; it did not even feel like running from PSICOM. She was engaged in a flat-out sprint against time, desperate steps rebounding off of the buildings around them with each pound of her booted feet against the paved ground. She didn't have time to be impressed that Fang was keeping up even while her lance encumbered one hand. There was no room in her mind for anything but her destination and the small, unlikely hope that the explosion in the distance had not been because PSICOM found Hope and Snow. Snow always greatly underestimated PSICOM's power, possibly because he so grossly overestimated his own sometimes. Even with the help of his Eidolon, who could hope to stand a chance against the full force of the Sanctum's elite squadron?

Originally, Lightning had been a little hesitant to leave Hope in Snow's care. The large brawler held little more intimidation and skill than a playground bully, in her mind. She wouldn't deny that seeing his Eidolon was both impressive and terrifying, filling her with awe when she realized such a monster apparently resided within all l'Cie. When Odin had forced his way out of her own brand, it had been painful and frightening. Had it been the same for Snow? Despite her cold demeanor, Lightning hid a remarkably empathetic personality. And, save for rare occasions where her temper got the best of her and she herself was the perpetrator, it pained her to see those around her in pain. By the acknowledgment of this part of her personality, she hoped to justify her increasing concern for her sister's fiancé.

She also knew the teenager still had poisonous thoughts festering inside; he had yet to fulfill the revenge for his mother's untimely death. Lightning herself had encouraged the boy towards his goal, feeling that just having something to fight for meant that life would continue to have meaning. Unfortunately, she had discovered she could only hide behind the numbing effects of open conflict for so long before the truth caught up with her. Between being branded a l'Cie and losing Serah, she acutely felt the futility of her struggle. She could only imagine how the boy, seven years her junior, would react to his own devastating loss when left alone with the person he blamed for it all. Perhaps that had been irresponsible, but they had not had much of a choice at the time.

For now, she had to keep up her breakneck pace. No matter what, she was responsible for them. For Hope because she had ignorantly turned him down his dark path, and for Snow because she had not been able to warn him. The idiot probably didn't realize that with every comment he made to try and lift the boy's confidence, he drove Hope closer to completing his sinister goal.

Lightning skidded to a halt when she met the dead end of an obnoxiously long street., her chest heaving with the exertion and stress. "Dammit," she swore hoarsely, pounding her fist against her thigh in frustration. They didn't have time to backtrack.

"It seems our luck continues," Fang commented cynically, flicking her hand at the concrete structure.

"There," Lightning said suddenly. By the time Fang had turned to investigate, Lightning had already dashed at the blockade, run two steps up the concrete wall, launched herself off towards a previously unreachable fire escape, and vaulted over the railing. "We're going over the building," she said simply, kicking down the ladder for her companion.

Fang took a moment to openly stare before grinning widely. "I like this girl."

Not long after traversing the building, Lightning and Fang loped into a wide open area. "Hope!" Lightning shouted upon seeing the boy. He was squared off with a large winged creature hailing from the PSICOM ranks; he was not doing well. Lightning slowed her pace slightly when she saw a familiar collection of large jacket and black headband lying prone on the ground behind Hope. Snow. Because of her hesitation, Fang outpaced her and managed to loop an arm behind Hope just as he started a slow backwards fall.

"Easy kid!" She cried, swinging him back into an upright position with an "up we go!" Hope, dazed, barely recognized Fang as the strange woman he had seen with Snow earlier.

"...thanks," he said weakly, staggering a step or two before regaining his balance. He looked around expectantly. "Where's Light?" He asked, but quickly located her without Fang's help. Lightning had rolled Snow onto his back and appeared to be quickly checking him for major external injury. Hope noted that the concern in her eyes was different than the coolness with which she usually regarded the big man. He felt a little guilty, wondering if she had been worried that Hope would follow through with his revenge. Truthfully, he had tried. The interruption by PSICOM had just barely managed to divert the survival knife meant to end Snow's life. Though afterward, Snow had still gained significant injury by protecting Hope with his body as they fell from the dizzying height of the rooftop. And to make him feel worse, Snow had pushed through his pain and carried Hope on his back to escape the immediate danger. When he had tried to protect the boy from their current threat, he was too weak and had been knocked aside, losing consciousness.

"Am I the only one who remembers there's a giant something-or-other trying to grind us into little bits?" Fang shouted as she guarded against the monster when it began a second assault. Hope spun on his heel and pulled out his boomerang, ready to get even.

"Lightning!" Fang yelled frantically when the monster sped past her, assuming Lightning and Snow were the weak-links since they were not fighting and aiming to finish off the easy opponents first. Lightning's attention was finally diverted away from the injured Snow just in time to see the coming attack. She grabbed the handle of her gunblade and prepared to rise, but the monster had caught her off guard and launched a preemptive strike. Several energy bursts shot towards her and Snow. Her eyes widened in panic. She had no time to block. In desperation, she fell back onto Snow, attempting to shield him.

Just in time, Fang jumped in front of Lightning with a fearsome battle-cry, deflecting the attack into the nearby buildings which shuddered and cracked at the forceful impact.

Lightning looked up to her rescuer. "Fang," she said lamely, realizing she wouldn't have needed protection if she had stayed focus. How could she let herself be distracted like that? At the sound of a gravelly moan, she looked back to Snow. He was still unconscious, but squirmed as he fought to reawaken. Lightning placed her palm on his forehead without thinking, trying to soothe him. "Relax, hero. We'll handle this."

"Are you quite ready?" Fang asked over her shoulder, getting annoyed despite the touching way in which Lightning was treating the man she usually called "worthless," among other things. "This thing's gearing up for another go."

Lightning stood quickly, clearing her throat as she marveled at the words she had just spoken. "Sorry, I'm ready," she affirmed, drawing her weapon and snapping out the blade. A few quick steps put her side-by-side with Hope.

"Light...I—" he began to attempt an explanation when she didn't look at him, wondering if she was upset. He was surprised when she took another step, placing herself slightly in front of him; a move to protect him.

"Stay focused," she said while keeping her eyes forward. Her voice had taken on the tone of leadership again. "We can talk after we beat this thing."

He opened his mouth as he stared at her back with uncertainty, but he quickly grinned with confidence given by her words. "Yeah."

"Lovely chat, guys. Really inspiring," Fang chimed in. "Can we get on with it?" She spun her lance once and then pointed it with purpose towards their foe, anxious.

Lightning nodded and assumed her fighting stance. "Just another battle."


A/N: Hey y'all, thanks for the kind reviews and support. I'm happy to post the second part of this story, and I have the third part mostly written. I think I'll have it ready to post tomorrow.

While writing out Fang's words, I can't help but hear her accent in my head. It's like she tells me what to write, the controlling wench, and I have no say at all. I think she's more controlling in my head than in the game, but I guess it's just how she comes across to me. Also, while writing this part around the "action" (I really can't write action, sorry), I couldn't help but make continuous game-play references. Those of you who have played might recognize them, sorry if it's cheesy!

OMG GAIS!! In part three, Lighting and Snow INTERACT...finally. Thanks for your patience. Once again, I encourage people to let me know what they think, or offer random facts (catfish have more than 250,000 tastebuds), in the "reviews" area.