Hi everybody! Once more, thanks for all the lovely reviews, they're really appreciated. I'm glad you liked that last chapter, since I changed my mind like… two or three times before being able to finish it. As for this chapter, it shall be easier, since they're fighting each other. XD

As for the rar, well, I'm glad someone out there comments my mistakes, maybe I'll learn more by writing this fic than I did when I undergo my three last years of English course –which are so far in my memories- glad I kept playing video games. Ah, it takes a comma before the last ", glad to know for sure now. So, the past tense. I'm doing my very best over that, but my grammar lack refinement, since here in Canada, English teacher gives you one hundred percent if they can understand what you meant in your essay. I think it's plain stupid but I'm still just a student. Can't do anything else about it then try my best!

Oh yeah, French is way more difficult than English on the grammar side, but since I was born and raised with it, I think of it as easier. Anyway, I still make mistakes now and then in French, but let's say it is way easier then German –I tried it last year, and, even if it is beautiful and nice to listen to. I'll stick to French and English. For German, I just give myself ten or twenty more years.

Thanks for the strawberry muffin, they're my favorite!

Anyway, let's talk about the fic. Who will win this fight? Ah, I am not telling. You won't have to wait for long anyway, rest assure. Oh and that's right, someone asked if Lightning was a l'cie in the fic. She is not a l'cie for now, but she will be. Have a good time reading and see ya all soon.

Associates till death do us apart

Cocoon versus Pulse

Lightning was thrown in the wall for the fifth time, pushed back by Noctis' invisible shield. She groaned in pain, feeling her anger building up inside her. This really was a friendly fight, but she had asked him to give it his all and it seemed she had underestimated him. She almost let go of her sword and it took her everything she had to get back on her feet.

"We should stop before you get hurt.", he suggested.

I won't just let him get away with it, I can't, she thought.

She fired at him several shots, but the bullets were repelled by his strange and shining barrier, shoved aside as if they were mere feathers. She was looking for her breath and he had barely even moved a finger.

"You must be joking, right? You have some kind of AMP, otherwise… How can a normal human being have such powers?"

"What are you trying to imply, that I'm inhuman?"

"No, I just want to know how you do it."

She had stopped moving and lowered her gunblade.

"Look closely, I'll slow it down."

The barrier behind which he was hiding seemed to be covered with stars and flashed every time something hit it. Suddenly, she understood why. Swords and lances were turning around him at an incredible speed, providing him with an impenetrable shelter.

"How many swords do you use at the same time?"

"Last time I was able to count… Twenty swords and five lances."

"You can't carry that much weapons with you all the time!", she observed.

He smiled behind the moving swords curtain.

"I only use one sword. All the others are created by my powers. They're on the mark in my back, so I can … what should I say… summon them.", he explained.

"Alright, I shall try something else then."

She snapped her fingers, activating her AMP and charged at him head on. He didn't want to hurt her and slowed down the motion of his weapons. That was his first mistake. She barged through the swords, stopping their movements with her anti gravitation system. She slashed through the air, aiming for his throat and he blocked her attack at the last second, unsheathing his weapon. Steel ringed against steel and she broke their stance by swirling on herself, her sword as fast as lightning. He parried and blocked her again, but she could tell he was holding back. The shocks reverberating through her arms were nothing compared to what she was hoping for. The adrenaline was getting higher in her blood and she jumped backward to dodge the first attack he dared to try.

"Is that really how you defeated our fal'cie?", she asked, half serious, half amused.

She couldn't go back in time. At first, she'd been mad at him for killing Cocoon's fal'cie. But he was just trying to give peace to his world. And if only for Serah's sake, she would have been the one to go and defeat the last of Cocoon's fal'cies. She hated them more than anything else in her life. She was angry at Noctis for killing it before she could; there was no other grudge than that. But she had to get him serious in this fight. She wanted to face all his strength, to show him that she could take it, that she was his equal. That his queen owed just as much respect as he did.

"You're not a fal'cie."

"Noctis, don't hold back because I'm a girl or your wife.", she ordered him as their swords clanged together.

He seemed a bit scared to fight her, but she figured out that it was shyness because of the nobles looking at them from the windows surrounding the training room.

How does that look, both of us, freshly wed and already fighting each other like that? , he thought.

"Come on, I know you're stronger than that!", she insisted.

"Why is it so important?", he replied, bending his head to avoid one of her shot.

As of now, I would like to mention just one thing for the readers. Lightning wasn't using real bullets and even if they were fighting with their real swords, doctors and magicians (well, l'cies to be accurate) waited just in the other room, in case that their future rulers got hurt during their friendly match. Oh, and Noctis is not summoning his swords curtain anymore, as he must really focus on Lightning now…

"Because I don't want to be treated differently even if I don't have any strange powers like you, or because I'm a woman. And it count as much on the battlefield than it would in any other part of our lives."

"You're really confusing sometimes. But if you will it so, we'll have it your way!"

This time, when his blade hit her sword, she was pushed back and pain ran through her arm from the shock's reverberation. He wouldn't hold back anymore. She smiled, brushing aside the pain. He attacked one more time and she dodged the hit. But he followed. He was slender than most men and soon proved to be just as fast as her. She jumped on the wall, kicking herself up in the air and tried to lend a hit in the middle of her jump. Steel collide against steel once more. Time seemed to stop and their gaze locked together for a second. He smiled. She realized they were both having fun. Then, gravity called her back to earth, she turned over herself and fell right on her feet, feeling the adrenaline flow growing thicker in her veins. Her hands were shaky and she was sweating. She just wiped a few drops of sweat away from her forehead with the back of her hand, readying her stance.

If she wanted to win, she would have to end this quick. Noctis, on his side, was happily surprised by her resistance and tenacity. He should have guess she would be like that since their first meeting, but seeing her in that wedding dress and his own clothes, acting shy, vulnerable and casual made him forget what she often repeated. She was a fighter.

"Now you're talking, Noctis."

"Hey, you're not bad yourself."

"I know.", she replied with a smirk.

He swung his sword and she dived to the ground and rolled on herself to get behind him, dodging him at the same time. She was too quick on that move; he just had time to turn around that she was already up and he barely blocked her blade with his.

Now's the time!, she thought in his mind.

Time for what?, he wondered.

She suddenly turned over herself, trusting her blade in the direction of his legs. He stopped the first shock but felt the air flew out of his lungs when she shoved her elbow right in his stomach. She let go of her blade and punched him again, sending him down to the floor. He tried to roll over, but he was fighting to catch back his breath and shocked by her sudden change of fighting style. Before he could even figure out what was happening, she was sitting on his stomach, holding down his blade arm and pressing the tip of her blade to his chin. She was just as out of breath as he was, but her smile was wide, since she had win.

"See, Noctis. You shall now remember that god mentioned that you had to respect your wife too."

He huffed and looked away, puzzled. Did she really have to win? The nobles were laughing, he could almost hear them. He hated being in the center of everyone's attention like that. Especially in such a weird and disgracing position.

"Alright, I won't forget it. Get off me now."

She complied, putting down her sword and sitting on the ground, still looking for her breath. He slowly sat down, putting some distance between them. She looked around her and realized all the nobles still gazing at them through the window. Noctis' cheeks were a slight shade of red and it wasn't only because of their little fight. She blushed a bit. She still acted as spoiled brat. But she liked to fight. And even more to win.

"You're not mad, Noctis?"

"Why should I be? I just got beaten by my wife in front of every nobles of the court acquainted to the castle. There's nothing to it."

His voice was shaky from a mix of anger and self-derision. He knew things would turn out like that. Lightning was impulsive and he was shy, even if he had tried his best to hide it until now.

"I'm sorry, I never wanted to humiliate you or…"

"I know, I'm not mad."

He had fun for a moment out there. Just fighting to fight, not to kill or to take revenge. Lightning was a good opponent, and it served him well to lose after being all arrogant last night, remembering her how he was the Noctis which had killed a fal'cie.

Two doctors and Noctis' mother entered the training room at this moment, while the nobles were going back to the court, or the dining room.

"Do you feel alright, your highness?"

"I'm okay.", the newlyweds replied at the same time.

"We should maybe check up on you anyway."

They seemed to insist especially for Lightning, so she got up, wanting to show that she really was ok. But then, color vanished from her face.

"Why's that… I feel heavy.", she complained, frowning.

She was still looking out for her breath, but she really shouldn't be anymore. She brought a hand to her chest, panting and suddenly she faint. Noctis was the first to react and caught her in the middle of her fall.

"What… What's happening with her?"

"Did you hit her in any vital spot, you highness? Maybe it's when she hit the wall…"

"I've told you that you shouldn't be fighting your own wife Noctis! What kind of husband…!"

"Mom, what's done is done; we should take Lightning to the infirmary wing right now."

The doctors agreed with him and they led the way while he carried his wife, wondering what could have gone wrong. Did she hit the wall too hard one time? Then why did she push herself that much after it? Maybe it was something else. But she didn't look like an unhealthy woman.

I still don't know much about you, but still, you've defeated me, and even got me worried in just one day. Just what kind of princess are you, Lightning Farron? , he thought.

…

It was only two hours later that Lightning woke up with a strange feeling in her body. She was numb and each of her limbs felt so heavy it was hard to move. She opened her eyes slowly, almost immediately trying to get up when she realized she was in a place she couldn't recognize.

"Don't even try.", ordered Noctis.

His hand gently forced her to lie back down. She sighed while meeting his golden eyes. He tried to put on a smile, but she could see right through it. He felt responsible for her fainting. She couldn't explain what had just happened before she loose consciousness, but she knew it wasn't his fault.

"What happened?" she asked.

"You collapsed. It seems Cocoon's and Pulse's gravity aren't quite the same and that you haven't adapt to it yet. The doctors said you would have faint later if we hadn't fight, but… The sooner they know, the better you'll be treated. You may still feel dizzy and heavy, but it shall go away in some minutes. You've been injected a serum that should help you putting up with the change of gravity, at least."

She was lying on a bed in the infirmary as it seems and he sat on a chair that looked quite uncomfortable

"I'm not sure I understand, but, I guess since Cocoon was created by fal'cies and Pulse is a more ancient world, it's just… normal that I can't switch from one world to the other and adapt right after. Still, it's pathetic. To think I was the one winning."

"You've won fair and square, Lightning.", he retorted, his face darkening a bit.

"Don't take it like that, it was just for fun.", she reminded him.

"I know. It's just that…" His voice got soft and she knew he was going to say something important when…

He was abruptly interrupted by his mother's yell as she burst into the room.

"Thank god, she's awake! You could have kill her, Lucis, how could you even accept to fight her? You know what happened last time you'd lose control over your powers. I can't even picture what things could have come to if…"

Noctis face went the palest shade of grey Lightning had ever seen and he quickly got up, turned around and went out, clearly not wanting to hear anything more. Her mother-in-law took his place, talking nonstop about how inconsiderate the young people were, while the princess was trying to figure out just what had happened now. She tried to get up as she felt that her limbs were getting lighter and she jumped on her feet as soon as she could, unable to stand her mother-in-law, even for propriety's sake.

She tried to find Noctis, but he was nowhere to be found or seen. And then, the maids almost attacked her in the middle of a corridor, to drag her to the queen's apartments.

"Your highness, the coronation is in two hours and you're not even dressed properly!"

"But, I must see Noctis and…"

Until that moment and since the end of their wedding, she had stick with her husband and she now knew she'd rather stay with him than seeing anyone else. He was gentle and simple; he didn't mind her ways or her choice of clothing. And she wanted to figure out what her mother meant when she said that he'd lose control of his powers. What had happened? Why was his mother always so hard with him?

"We're glad that you two get along so well, but the prince can't see you now. He must get purified for the coronation. Just as you. And we're almost already out of time."

Lightning was still a little dizzy maybe, since it only took three maids to get her out of her clothes, pushed in the biggest bath she'd ever seen and before she could understand what was happening, the princess was lying on a mat, receiving a massage that was supposed to help her relax after her terrible day. At first, she was against it, she hated to have other people doing anything in her place, but she didn't really have the choice.

"To think you've defeated Noctis, it's incredible!", her massager praised her.

"Well, I guess it was mere luck. He has all those incredible powers…"

Lightning was opening up to the girl. She was merely trying to gather any info she could. And she did enjoy having a moment to relax for real after all that had happened during the last days.

"The prince is the greatest fighter in all pulse who isn't a l'cie."

"I don't really get it. How can he have such powers and not being a l'cie?"

"Well, no one really knows for sure, but, oh, maybe I shouldn't tell you… You see your highness; my boyfriend is one of the prince best friends. He told me that Noctis saw the light of a l'cie being freed from his crystal state when he was just a little boy! Since then, he has that mark on his back and can summon all kind of incredible weapons. He's still discovering most of his powers now, as it seems he's always growing stronger. But Shawn said that Noctis don't really like that."

"I guess it's hard to be different from everyone else."

The maid agreed and went on:

"You see, when he was a kid, an accident occurred with his mother because of his powers and he never was the same since then. He used to be a curious and playful kid as the older maids says, but since that accident, he turned gloomy and serious."

"I've already seen that his mother and he don't really get along. What happened?"

"I shouldn't be talking about that, Shawn could get trouble if Noctis knew, and I could be fired myself… And that story is so sad, you shouldn't hear it now."

The maid had already said too much, but she couldn't help it, she liked to talk and Lightning was receptive. After all, when she tried to imagine what it could be to marry a total stranger, she felt bad for her future queen. She wanted to tell her everything she knew over the prince, so that Lightning could feel more comfortable.

"What's your name?" the princess asked.

"I… I'm Heather, your highness."

"I won't let anything happened to you or your boyfriend Heather, so, please tell me. I hate not knowing what's going on around me. My new mother is going berserk on the idea of me giving an heir to Noctis, she always hurts him and he won't tell me anything to explain it. I want to know him. To know all I can right now, to react as I should and not hurt him any more with my ignorance. He's a nice guy. We decided we would be partners to keep the peace in our both worlds. I want to support him. And for that, I must know him better."

"Your highness, that's so sweet! It's almost as if you were already in love with him!"

"I'm not! And don't go repeating anything I've told you to anyone, not even your boyfriend, Heather! I just… I need to know and understand Noctis to adapt to my new status. He'd put up with my moods and attitudes and… I want to pay him back for that."

"I see. Then, listen well, I won't say it twice. This happened when he was still a little kid, only five or six years old. Ah, but, before, you must know that queen Remilda, Noctis' mother, wanted a baby girl! She was forced to marry our king at 14 years old and was terrified by their first night together. You could say she saw it as a rape. She got pregnant and hoped that she would have a little girl, but it turned out to be Noctis. She loved him even so, but she still wanted her baby girl. The king was away at that time, fighting against Coc… huh, just fighting, as always, you know."

Lightning let a weak smile brighten her face. She knew that part well. Her father had died during this fight, as many other member of her family. Uncle, cousins, all gone to that stupid war against the famous enemy. At that time, she was just a kid, but she had to become Cocoon's first princess and did everything she could to keep control over the politics and to protect her sister.

"Go on."

"Noctis was granted his incredible powers around those times and he was playing at summoning his swords when he'd suddenly lose control of one of his blades. His mother was hit right in the stomach and badly wounded. She could have died if it weren't for the l'cies working as medic at that time. But after that accident, she couldn't bear a child anymore. So her dream of having her little girl was lost forever. Noctis never forgave himself for it. He was traumatized. Can you picture it? He was just a little boy and he had almost killed his own mother."

"Oh my god…"

"You've said it. The king covered the story by saying that Remilda was ill and that she couldn't gave him any other children. He was so mad at first. Since that time, Noctis was feared by most of his relatives. The maids raised him and gave him affection instead of his mother. But I guess this scar will never really heal. He always got himself in the worst situations. He doesn't do it on purpose, but Lady Life wasn't fair with him. "

Lightning was astonished and she was way too tensed to keep on receiving that massage. She had got her info and she was just desperate to think that such a terrible thing could happen. Noctis who seemed so shy, gentle and cute… Well, he looked even cuter than before to her.

"Did his mother forgive him?"

"Of course not. They'd say he was just a child and all, but he still grieves over it now and then. Shawn hopes you could make him forget about that. And all the rest, I guess."

"Thanks, Heather, for telling me." lied Lightning. She felt terrible for wanting to know something like that, she felt terrible for not knowing what she could say to Noctis after learning all that. At least, now, she could understand a bit more why he was reluctant about fighting her, why his mother wanted them to have children as soon as possible. "I guess I should get dressed now."

"You're right. Sorry that I put you down with that story. I should've kept it shut."

"No, it's better that I know. Something like that… I'll try to cheer him up today."

"You're so much nicer than what the rumors about you said, your highness!"

What are those damn rumors saying already?! Lightning cursed mentally.

…

Noctis was waiting in the throne room. The purification rite was a bit quicker for the future king. The prince was pissed. His throne was ice cold and he had nonchalantly crossed his legs, dropping his chin in his hand, one elbow on the armrest of his chair. He hated waiting. His father looked bored, and his mother was jumping everywhere, giving her last orders, making sure everything would go smoothly.

"So, son, how was it?", the king asked uneasily.

"How was what?", replied Noctis.

"Last night, you know."

"I slept like a rock, thank you father."

He couldn't wait much more and hoped that this wouldn't last too long. He'd been on edge since his mother had made that comment about him losing control of his powers. All the bad memories came back, together with Stella's related thoughts. He wanted to forget it all, but he was good at grieving. When you're shy, you spent too many time thinking over yourself and what you should or could have done in the past. Fortunately, Lightning entered the room at this moment, wearing a long and wonderful white dress. The cleavage was a bit daring, and she was pink as she felt all the gazes in the crowd fall on her. Now, there was a good reason to stare. She walked up the ally and Noctis got up, doing his best not to stare like every other men in the throne room were.

Her hair was tied up in a nice bun that let some curled locks brushed her face. Her naked shoulders were pale; she looked small and blushed even more as she stopped next to him. He was taken aback by this change. And since she had walked in, he couldn't remember even Stella's name. Noctis took her hand as she walked up the few steps before the thrones.

"Well, what do you think?", she shyly asked.

"Who are you and what have you done to my wife?", he teased her.

She punched him in the shoulder, to the great surprise of the crowd, and the couple burst in laughs.

"Alright, I'm sure it's you now…"

"Moron.", she replied.

Noctis' father cleared his throat, looking even more bored than he first was.

"Well, do you kids know what's supposed to take place here?"

"The coronation." Lightning replied, squeezing Noctis' hand.

She was glad to see how their complicity was building up. It seemed so normal, so simple to be with him, to be teased and to fight back. But she knew something now. She looked at her mother-in-law. Her imagination was creating pictures that flew before her eyes. A small, crying Noctis before his wounded mother. Blood on his childish hands. She shivered. When she talked to him, the first time they met, she saw him as an enemy, a monster. Now, she realized he'd always been regarded by other that way. She wanted t become his ally even more now. She was going to his queen. And he was supposed to be her king.

"Yeah, today, our capital is getting a new King and Queen. Noctis Lucis Caelum and Lightning Farron!"

He looked at her for a second. It was then he realized she wasn't really blushing. She wasn't acting shy. She was sad. Then he heard her thoughts and understood. She knew for the accident. One the maid must have told her. This day was going to be long, that was for sure.

Don't pity me, Lightning. I'd hate to win your friendship like that, he said to himself.

To be continued…

Yes, I know, the famous mark on Noctis' back was just mentioned. So then, I shall clarify it. It is a symbol made from the mix of swords' shades. All the weapons intertwined together and it the middle, there's a shining little stone, that looks like steel. The mark changes sometime, as he grew up and more swords appeared on it, making him able to summon more of them.

I guess the story with his mother was pretty sad, but, I must create all his background since we're still waiting for the game of versus. And it explains why Remilda was so straightforward over the heir thing. As for their fight at the start, I had a hard time describing the action, hope it's understandable. So then, next chapter, we shall see some more explanation on Noctis past and he's going to ask to know more about Lightning, since she's got a bit too much info over him while he is at a complete lost. Guess since she's left alone in his castle of Pulse, she should learn about him before he does.

I update as much as I can now, since my studies are less demanding and that I should finish this story before that versus come out. I don't know when it will be release in the U.S.A., but I can't wait. (well, I have ffxiii to go through for now, but still).

So, I guess you know it already, leave review, and you shall see another update soon. I'm so into this story!

See ya and thanks for reading!