Here's Ch. 4! Sorry it's taken me so long to update but Army stuff has been getting in the way.

Cloud: No wonder why my butt hurts. Me and Tifa have been sitting on this bike too damn long!

Tifa: Yeah, and our eyes look like swirleys from being in this portal too long as well. I feel like I'm going to puke!

Noctis: When are those two ingrates showing up? I'm tired of looking at old dusty books and a fire that hasn't gone out!

Stella: Are we going to eat and sleep anytime soon? I swear, I'll end up a skeleton sitting in this chair.

ALL OF YOU! STOP BICKERING OR I'LL STOP WRITING AND MAKE YOU STAY LIKE THAT!

All: Ok… *cringe*

Cloud: Sheesh, you'd think she would've had a heart.

WHAT WAS THAT, CLOUD!

Cloud: NOTHING! *sweat*

Good. Because if I hear another word out of any of you, you're going to get a serious ass whooping! Now, on with the story…

Once again, I don't own FFvXIII or SquarEnix. Though, they better hurry up with the game. I can be very impatient sometimes.

oOoOoOo

It was just after midday in early Spring, and Noctis sat quietly in the study across from Stella as he explained to her what Etro has told him through the Crystal. She was perplexed about how these change of events took place. Stella then proceeded with Genesis, the man that took control of her Army and Kingdom, and then wanting to seize control of the Crystal and destroy everything that she holds dear to her heart.

Noctis, showing concern and surprise when Stella told him about the past events, then went on to explain how Etro has summoned two other beings from another world to help aid them in their fight to protect the Crystal and bring peace once again. Stella was anxious to meet the newcomers and make them feel welcome as she has always done for any guest, including Noctis.

"How will we know when they show up?" Stella asked, as she stirred her tea that Noctis had his servants brought to them.

"I honestly don't know. It could be any moment," Noctis replied as he stared into the fireplace watching the flames dance on the burning wood.

Just then, one of the guards pounded on the large mahogany door. "Enter," said Noctis.

The guard came in and stood in between the two young sovereigns and bowed. "My Lord, My Lady. Some of our scouts spotted two people on some kind of machine in the Ardennes Valley just ten miles northeast of here. They're under attack by…" the guard suddenly stopped speaking.

"By my Army?" Stella asked with sadness in her voice. Noctis looked at her with the same expression.

'It kills me every time I see her so sad like that. I wish I could tell her that everything will be ok, but now is not the time.' Noctis said to himself.

"Yes, My Lady. I'm sorry to bring you such disturbing news," the guard said with sympathy.

Noctis suddenly stood up and looked at Stella. "Stay here. I'm going to go see to this. It may be them."

Stella got up from her chair as she watched Noctis and the guard make their way to the door.

"Please be careful, Noct." she said.

Noctis turned and smiled, "I will, Stell. I'll return soon."

Stella blushed as she whispered, 'Come back to me, my love.'

Noctis quickly changed his clothing and hurriedly moved to his underground storage area and found his bike. It was black and sleek with electric blue lights traced along the body. As he fired up the bike, the lights glowed a striking, lightning blue and the engine purred like a high voltage racing car. He quickly sped off in the direction to help the unknown people that were being attacked by Stella's former forces.

oOoOoOo

"I don't know how much longer we can hold them off!" Cloud said as he breathed heavily, his sword shaking in his hands.

"These soldiers don't seem to be backing down anytime soon," said Tifa as she readied her fists again to attack another armored soldier.

'This is unbelievable. We get through the portal and we're greeted like this? How can I protect Tifa if I'm in such a weakened state?' Cloud thought to himself as he looked to Tifa with worry.

Tifa looked back at Cloud, "What's wrong?"

At that moment, everything seemed to go in slow motion. There was a bright flash of light as the soldiers fell one by one by an unknown force. It moved so fast, that Cloud and Tifa could only catch glimpses of a figure being surrounded by several different weapons ranging from spears and swords, to daggers and guns. This figures eyes glowed a dangerous crimson color as he cut down every soldier in his path.

Even with the incredible number of soldiers, Cloud felt that the stranger's strength and power wasn't enough. He managed to hit his Limit Break and used Omnislash; but only one level down from the one he used against Sephiroth. He obliterated at least half of the soldiers, while the unknown fighter finished off the rest.

After the last soldier was killed, the figure stood with his back facing the weary couple, sword in hand as he slowly turned to face the newcomers, eyes no longer red but a dark ocean blue. Cloud stood in front of Tifa, protecting her in case this figure was an enemy.

"Who are you?" Cloud asked with a threatening voice.

The figure chuckled a bit and said, "I should ask you the same thing. But seeing as I helped save the both of you, I am Noctis Lucis Caelum. The last heir to the Caelum Kingdom and protector of the Crystal. And you are?"

Both Cloud and Tifa were speechless as they met Noctis and offered their apologies for being overly cautious.

"I'm Cloud Strife and this is Tifa Lockheart. We're not heirs of anything but we have a family business back where we're from along with two children." Cloud said as he chuckled a bit at the last part. Tifa blushed slightly at the mention of their home.

"Ah. So you're together, then?" Noctis said with a smirk on his face.

Both Cloud and Tifa looked at each other and blushed madly, as they thought that Noctis was thinking the two were married.

"No, but we do live together and the two children are adopted. Cloud and I have been best friends since we were children." said Tifa, humbly.

Noctis nodded. "So, what brings you here?"

"We were told by a friend of ours that a world is being threatened by two beings, one of which I know personally. His name is Professor Hojo. The other is named Genesis." said Cloud, as he gritted his teeth with the mention of Hojo.

"Wait. Did you just say the name, Genesis?" Noctis said. He remembered when Stella was talking to him back in the study about that very man who tried to capture her and that his name was Genesis.

"Yes. Another friend of ours defeated him a long time ago. But he didn't die. Now he's come to this world to take your Crystal along with Hojo." Tifa said.

Noctis looked at Cloud and Tifa with much relief knowing that these were the two beings that Etro spoke of. "Please come with me. We have much to discuss and I would also like you to meet a close friend of mine. She very much like you, Miss Lockheart. Her name is Stella."

Cloud didn't like the sound of Noctis' tone at the last part and immediately threw a icy glare at him as he stood in front of Tifa once again and tried to size up Noctis. Tifa, noticing Cloud's change in attitude, gently touched him on the shoulder to calm him.

"Relax, Cloud. It was just a compliment." Tifa whispered to Cloud.

"Thank you, and please, call me Tifa." Noctis nodded.

Cloud instantly released his tension, as he looked over at Tifa with gentle eyes and went to get back on his bike and place his sword back in the compartments. He looked back at Noctis after him and Tifa got on, letting him know they were ready to go, but also sending a silent threat to stay away from Tifa. Noctis got back on his bike and saw the inquiry from Cloud. He smirked as he took the threat as a challenge.

Noctis began to laugh to himself and looked over his shoulder. "Cloud, I know we just met, but I'd like to have a chance to spar with you when we get to my castle. What do you say?"

Cloud looked at Noctis with a smirk on his face and said, "You're on."

Tifa just shook her head and smiled to herself. 'Cloud, what will I ever do with you? Even to this day, your still proving yourself to me. I love you so much no matter what or who you are.'

All three sped off back to the castle to meet Stella and discuss what to do about Genesis and Hojo and how to keep the Crystal from falling into their hands.

oOoOoOo

Meanwhile, Stella was up in her room after taking a relaxing bath. She picked out a book from the study after she cleaned up and was thoroughly entranced by the story. The story was about a young man and his best friend who were sent on a long journey to destroy an evil ring that could destroy their entire world. They had other companions that were off fighting to protect the evil that was trying to capture the two and retrieve the ring for their dark master.

There was a sudden knock at the door as Stella looked up to answer, "Come in, please," she said in a polite tone.

One of her hand maidens entered and curtsied to her, "My Lady, Lord Noctis and two others have returned to the castle."

"I'll be there in a minute," she said smiling.

Stella immediately put her book down and got dressed in a casual maroon button up blouse with black, silk leggings and comfortable dark brown sandals. She brushed her golden hair and curled the ends and put on light make-up. After she looked herself over one last time, she made her way out of the room and down stairs to the Main Hall to greet the newcomers.

It was just around dinner time as the three made it back to the castle safely. After parking their bikes in the underground lot, Noctis, Cloud and Tifa made their way inside. Once they made it to the Main Hall, Cloud and Tifa's eyes nearly popped out of their heads as they looked upon the grand scale of Noctis' castle. It was beyond what they imagined. They've seen fancy things like back in the Nibelhiem Mansion but nothing like this.

Carved columns of ancient gods that reached the ceiling which had a mosaic of a battle between humans, demi-gods and demons. Smooth, dark marble floors so shiny, you could see your reflection on it. Beautiful tapestries and paintings covering high walls along with great statues of Kings long past. And finally, landscape windows that overlooked the gardens of the castle along with the surrounding city and far off snow-capped mountains in the distance.

"This place is amazing," Tifa said, awestruck with the beauty and elegance of the castle.

Cloud was utterly, speechless.

"Indeed it is. This castle has been around for many Eons," said a soft, feminine voice.

Both Cloud and Tifa looked to the voice and saw a beautiful, young woman standing next to Noctis.

"May I introduce to you, Princess Stella Nox Fleuret of the Tenebrae Kingdom. She was betrayed by her country and her Army taken by Genesis. So she fled here after I sent her a warning when the Goddess, Etro spoke to me from the Crystal of this threat." Noctis explained.

Cloud and Tifa curtsied and bowed to her. Stella smiled back at them, "There's no need for formalities, your guests here and you will be treated with great hospitality."

Cloud looked at her curiously, 'She does act a lot like Tifa. Never one for being very formal but yet, welcoming with open arms to anyone.'

He then looked over at Tifa who began to converse with the Princess. 'Tifa is truly, one of a kind. Gods, I love her.'

Noctis noticed how Cloud looked at Stella for a short while and felt a tinge of jealousy stir up in him. He threw Cloud a cold glare as he stood close to Stella. Cloud shot back a glare as he also stood closer to Tifa. Both young women were oblivious to the men and their hard glares as they continued talking to one another.

After a while, Noctis cleared his throat, "Can we take our conversations to my study? I'll have dinner made and served for us and then we can discuss our plans to stop Genesis and Hojo. Oh and, if you don't mind, Cloud, Tifa, we'd like to know a bit of your backgrounds from your world."

Cloud and Tifa nodded in agreement. "We would like to know your's as well, if that's ok," said Tifa.

"We'd be happy to," Stella said politely.

Whew! A bit of jealousy and a challenge even between the two hotties. Oh and who can guess what Noctis' bike looks like and what book was Stella reading?

First hint… the bike is in an upcoming movie that's a sequel from another movie made in 1982 by Disney. It starred Jeff Bridges and Bruce Boxleitner. This movie was also the main attraction at this year's ComiCon.

Second hint… the book that Stella was reading is a popular trilogy movie set that won over 7 Oscars at the Academy Awards and it starred Elijah Wood and Orlando Bloom.