VI Family

"Still no sign of her."

Rain sighed as he heard the update on the search for his sister. It had been a week already, and while he had been forced to stay inside while he recovered from his injuries, Lightning, Cloud, and Rainbow had spent most of it out looking for Faith.

Claire had been more then willing to come by and look after Kristof, which had left Rain alone for most afternoons. In short, he was not only bored as hell, but also felt useless. Out of a desire to try and do something, he had used Rainbow's laptop with her permission. He of course didn't tell her that his goal was to try and hack into The Academy's database to see if they had any idea about what was going to become of the Crystal pillar in 500AF, but as it turned out he had overestimated this time's technology. To him it was so primitive it wasn't even funny.

"Nothing?"

He gently closed the laptop and easily sat up from the couch. His injuries had healed quite nicely, and quickly, too, thanks to Claire's medic magic. Of course he still felt drained from it all, so Lightning ordered him to take it easy.

Lightning shook her head as she slid out of her boots and left them by the door.

"No one's seen anyone matching her description here, in Oerba, Academia, or any of the neighboring villages."

She had even filled out an official missing persons report, but nothing turned up.

"Don't worry Claire, we'll find her soon."

Rain couldn't help narrowing his eyes at Cloud as he placed a comforting hand on his mom's shoulder. They hadn't spoken much this past week, but he didn't like him either way. He was stealing his mother from Hope, and the fact that he kept calling her by her real name just pissed him off.

He shoved his anger aside, and focused on what mattered right now: finding Faith.

"You don't think that Caius could've already found her first, do you?"

"Dont think like that!" Lightning told him. "We can't give up hope!"

Yeah look who's talking...

"I'm going to my room..." Rainbow muttered, with her head down as she excused herself and walked past them.

"Speaking of hope, what are we gonna do about our other problem?" Rain asked as he glanced out the window at Cocoon.

"Right..." Lightning muttered following Rain's gaze. "500AF..."

She had been so focused on the problem at hand that she had forgotten about the long term one.

"It's doomed to fall now, isn't it? Caius will get what he wants..." Rain muttered sadly.

"I don't know Rain, I just don't know..."

"Please, don't start to talk like this, we must be positive."

The words sounded strange coming from Cloud, even to him.

"Cloud, you don't understand. In 500AF the crystal pillar holding up Cocoon becomes unstable and it comes crashing to the ground and kills millions. By 700AF humanity with be on the brink of dying out." Lightning explained

"And without Hope we're pretty much done for." Rain added.

"Really? And this 'Caius' is behind it all?"

"I believe he is." Lightning spat in anger as she clenched her fists. "I don't know this for sure, but I bet he's the one who killed Hope, Yeul must've seen him build the new Cocoon and Caius sought to stop it."

It was her theory now, anyway.

"And we can't kill him right? Otherwise the goddess would die and both worlds would be consumed by chaos."

"Right." Lightning answered. "I'm sure the only reason the goddess is still alive is because the Caius here is too, but who knows how much weaker she's become..."

"One problem right after another." Rain sighed annoyingly. "It's probably safe to say it cant get much worse."

Putting the laptop on the table, Rain got up and made his way to the kitchen for a cup of coffee. There was a pot already made, so he found a mug in the cabinet and poured himself some, rubbing his aching forehead while doing so. That damn head ache was back again...

"Rain?" Lightning asked worriedly noticing his pained expression.

"Its just a head ache..."

It had come and gone ever since he had ended up in this world. Each time it progressively seemed to get worse, causing him to get worried about it. He crossed his fingers that it was really nothing though.

"I'll see if I can find you some aspirin."

Lightning began to make her way to the bathroom to search the medicine cabinet, but was interrupted when she heard the sudden shattering of glass followed by a thud. Spinning around at once in alarm, she saw that Rain had suddenly collapsed on the floor without warning.

"Rain!"

She and Cloud were at his side at once.

"Somethings wrong, he wouldn't just collapse like this." Lightning commented worriedly as she gently rolled him over. She put her ear to his chest and heard his steady breathing and heart beat, but was still worried. "He's just unconscious but...Why?"

"His wounds have all healed haven't they? What could've caused this?"

She shook her head, then gently picked him up and moved him to the couch.

"Why is this happening?"

Cloud gently wrapped his arms around her in hopes of comforting her a bit.

"Should we take him to the hospital?"

She shook her head and gently pulled away.

"That's not a good idea. He doesn't exist here, no previous medical records or even a birth certificate. There's no way to prove that I'm his mother, they'll ask too many questions."

Then it clicked, and her eyes widened in realization as she paled.

"He's not supposed to exist here..." she repeated.

Before Cloud could say a word she turned and entered the guest room to check on Kristof. He was currently laying down, looking both tired and in a bit of pain.

"Are you feeling alright Kristof?" She asked kneeling beside the bed.

"My head hurts..."

Nodding, she gently stroked his head for a moment, told him she would get him some aspirin in a moment and to rest in the mean time. Then she got up and left the room, letting out a curse once he was out of earshot. Cloud had followed her the whole time, and she guessed he too had figured it out.

"They're dying in this world aren't they?"

She nodded. Here they were just walking paradoxes that weren't actually supposed to exist...And it was killing them. They needed to find Faith and get them all home as soon as possible now.


"Alright." Hope said as he turned away from his computer and back to Noel. "I checked the data three times now. I can confirm that they indeed are in a parallel world, and while I can't say what year they are in, I can say that they appear to be in that world's New Bodhum."

He then picked up the artefact Noel had given him. "I think if we take this artefact to our New Bodhum, a gate should appear and well be able to go through.

"Good. I hope the kids and Kristof are alright, I'll never forgive myself if something terrible happened..."

Hope frowned, knowing full well how he felt after that kidnapping incident five years ago. If only they had been able to save them just a few minutes sooner than they had...

"I'm sure Rain's taking good care of him and protecting him." He tried to assure Noel. "I called Sazh, he can give us a ride."

He stood up, then winced at the sudden pain and grabbed his injured side. Noel took a step towards him to try and help, but he waved him off and bore through the pain.

"I just hope nothing bad is happening over there, like... agh, why am I thinking about Caius in a moment like that? I don't want another problem." Noel muttered, causing Hope to frown.

"There's no telling what situation the other world is in, we have no idea what we'll be walking into."

It was the truth Hope didn't want to say.

"I'm sorry, I'm just a bit nervous and worried. I don't want to lose my only son..."

"I know." Hope put his hand on his shoulder trying to comfort him. "And we're going to bring our children back safe and sound."

"Thank you my friend."

"Are you ready to go then?"

"Yeah."

Sazh flew them to New Bodhum in his air ship, as planned, and dropped them off right on the beach. He wished them the best of luck, and said to call if they needed any other help. Hope and Noel thanked him and watched him fly off, then went to work. Hope used his paradox level reading device to track the exact location of the high paradox levels. Once they reach the farthest western part of the beach, they found the space around them warping and twisting just as they had seen by the lake before.

"I was right..."

Hope took out the artefact, then shoved it into it and a permanent gate manifested moments later.

"Last chance to turn back." He warned.

Noel shook his head.

"Let's go."

"Right." he said, then did not hesitate to jump through with him.


Meanwhile on the other side, Snow was out for a walk along the beach with Serah. It was nice to have some quiet alone time, and they knew their kids were old enough to take care of themselves for a while, so they weren't worried. Snow smiled at his wife and put his arm around her, but the mood disappeared when the space in front of them became the area became twisted in the time paradox, and then the gate between both worlds manifested.

"What the-? Stand back Serah!"

Snow at once stepped in front her protectively. He half expected some monsters to come out of that gate and attack them, but instead Hope and Noel were thrown out, both of them landing on one knee in the sand.

"Hope?" They both chorused, both of them pale and stunned at seeing him alive and much older.

Naturally, Hope and Noel had similar reactions seeing them as well. However once Noel caught sight of Snow with Serah his eyes softened, mirroring his aching heart. Hope frowned at him, guessing what he was mentally going through and placed a hand on his shoulder as if to say "I'm sorry."

"You're supposed to be dead!" Snow shouted, snapping them both out of their thoughts.

"What?" Hope whispered, eyes widening. "I'm...dead?"

"This really is a different world..." Noel muttered.

"What are you guys talking about? Hope how are you alive, and who is this anyway?"

"It's a long story..." Hope said softly, scratching the back of his head.

"A very long story but we don't have time to explain it. Have you have seen a boy with pink hair and a little child with brown hair?" Noel asked, wanting to find his son immediately to make sure he was alright.

"That sounds like Rain and Kristof," Snow said, turning to Serah. "Right?"

"Kristof! where is he?"

"And what about Faith? Have you seen her, too?" Hope added.

"No we haven't found her." Serah apologized shaking her head.

"But Rain and Kristof are at Light's house though, just down the street." Snow said

"Lightning? Hope! You know what that means? It looks like you were right about her!"

"But it may not be my Light."

He was doubtful, but at the same time he was holding onto the hope that it was his Light. Still, at the same time he didn't allow himself to get all worked up about it in case it wasn't.

"We have to see!"

"I'm not getting my hopes up."

"Whatever." Noel then turned back to Snow. "Where did you say her house was again?"

"Right at the end of the village, I'll take you there." Snow offered.

Snow looked like he was more than a little lost and confused, but he wanted to help anyway.


"Why the hell didn't you tell me you were feeling like this?" Lightning demanded as she folded her arms.

It had been a couple hours since Rain had collapsed. Cloud had left for a few short deliveries, and Rainbow was in her room playing with Kristof. Lightning had been pacing around anxiously for Rain to wake up, and when he finally did she wasn't to happy.

"I thought it was nothing alright? And frankly your yelling is really not helping my head right now."

Lightning sighed as their attitudes clashed. She made herself calm down, and a moment later continued.

"Just be careful and don't push yourself alright? That'll probably just make it worse."

Understanding, Rain nodded. Then seconds later, Snow walked in without any warning, not even bothering to knock.

"Hey sis. You're probably not gonna believe this, but Hope's here."

Her eyes widened at once, but did see that both Hope and Noel were right behind him.

"Lightning?" Noel asked.

"Dad!" Rain bolted up from the couch at once and ran to him. "What are you doing here? You should still be in the hospital!"

"I was worried sick about you." Hope said as he hugged his son.

Kristof, having heard his father's voice from the other room ran down the hall. Once he indeed saw that it was him, he brightened up immediately and ran to him at once.

"Daddy!"

"Kristof!" He had never been so happy to hug his son. "Are you right?"

"I'm good, dad."

"Good, you're both ok." Hope said, relieved before turning back to Rain. "What about your sister?"

"No sign of her..."

Sighing with worry, he glanced over at Lightning. She had been standing there silently the whole time, just staring at him...

"I heard that I'm dead in this world, it must be quite a shock to see me..."

"That's our Light, dad…" Rain told him.

Hearing that made his heart skip a beat, but he saw her nod as she glanced down at her feet nervously.

"It's really you?" He asked, eyes wide as he walked over to her. "Oh Goddess I've missed you so much..." He was almost in tears as he gave her a hug, then briefly kissed her. "My Light." he said smiling. He gently took her hands, then fell silent when he noticed her ring. "That's...Not the ring I gave you..."

Things got tense at once. Sensing drama and that they needed to be alone, Noel quietly took Kristof's hand and led him outside. Snow followed, a million questions running through his mind.

"Mind telling me what the heck is going on around here?" They heard Snow mutter to Noel.

"Honestly, you probably wouldn't believe me if I told you."

"Light, what's going on?" Hope asked, staring at her in disbelief.

Rain just glared at his mother, and left the room without another word. "Drama alert." he said to Rainbow as he poked his head in her room. Raising an eyebrow, she poked her head out and caught a glimpse of Hope.

"Your dad's here? Oh, oh... This will be a big problem..."

"Yeah..." Rain muttered before he sighed. "Again I'm really sorry you got dragged into this..."

She fell silent, then sighed and curled up. It was clear to him that she wanted to be alone for a while, so he let her be.

Back in the living room, Lightning had explained everything that had happened to her since the night she disappeared:

"I'll be back soon."

Lightning gave Hope a quick kiss before she left for patrol, having been called in due to short staff.

"Come back safe and sound."

"You know I will, Hope."

She didn't look back after that, but softly heard the door close behind her. She sighed softly as she drew her gunblade as she walked away from her home, switching it into gun mode and holding having it by her side as she tightly gripped it. She too switched her mind from caring wife and mother to stern cold soldier, guard up and only to be dropped when she retired to bed after her shift would be over.

The first few miles were dead quiet, the streets inactive, not many people out at this hour. Of course that was all the more reason to be alert,you could never know what could be silently be lurking in the shadows. She was prepared for anything around each dark corner, or at least that's what she thought.

As she stepped around another corner, guard still up and ready for any unfriendly surprises she faced something unexpected: The chaos of Valhalla leaking out of a portal, coming right for her. It was exactly the same as last time, but this time she was actually afraid. Afraid of being yanked out of her now happy life, leaving behind her children, possibly being forgotten or labeled as dead to the world like last time.

She didn't hesitate to turn and run, knowing what the outcome would be if it succeeded in grabbing a hold of her. But just like last time, it was futile. She didn't even need to trip and fall this time for it to catch up and grab her by the waist. Her struggling against it didn't do anything either, she was yanked through to the Historia Crux.

Time itself had reversed for her, turning her back to twenty one. Her memories of everything that had happened after the battle with Orphan vanished when she landed in the parallel world, head smacking against the ground before her wedding ring slipped off her finger. The others had awoken from their crystal sleep moments later, so none of them ever noticed anything strange. As for the other Lightning, the one that had actually belonged in this world...History was altered to prevent a massive paradox. That Lightning was trapped in the crystal pillar along with Vanille and Fang...

"I...I see." Hope said when she was finally done. He let go of her hands and kept his head down.

He didn't know what else to say. He had patiently listened to every word, and knew it wasn't her fault, but he still felt heart broken. How could this have happened?

"I'm really sorry Hope, I don't-"

"You don't love me anymore?" he asked, looking her in the eyes now. "Is that it?"

"I swear I still love you."

"...You do realize you're going to have to chose then, right?"

She fell silent once more, but he could tell that she had already realized that before.

"I won't pressure you on it, and I'll respect your decision either way, but once this is all over the gate between the two worlds will most likely close...You'll be stuck in which ever world you choose."

"I'm sorry..."

"It's ok..."

He suddenly hissed in pain, grabbing his injured and bandaged side. Lightning flinched and was about to reach out and help him, but, naturally, that was when Rain came back in and ran over to him once he saw what was going on.

"Dad!"

"I'm ok, it's just a couple scratches..."

"This is all your fault!" Rain said, glaring at Lightning.

"Rain!"

"You're supposed to protect him! Look what happens when you don't!"

"I know... it's my fault..." She whispered, lowering her head in guilt.

"Both of you stop it." Hope said sternly, getting over the pain. "Rain, apologize to your mother."

"No."

"Rainstorm!"

But he didn't listen, he walked away, glaring at Lightning the whole time.

"If you break his heart, I will NEVER forgive you." and with that he walked right out the front door, and slammed it loudly behind him.

"Don't listen to him, Light." he said, holding her hand once more. "It's not your fault I got injured, I just wasn't careful that's all."

She was silent, a sign that she really was blaming herself for his injuries, like Rain had said.

"Don't beat yourself up over this, we both know I'm not the best fighter around. I just couldn't handle myself when a pack of Behemoths attacked my research team out in the field and I got scratched up a bit."

"Thanks Hope..."

"I'll be...Fine..."

He suddenly felt himself get dizzy, then fell unconscious. She caught him at once, panicking. Was it because of his injuries, or because like Rain and Kristof he wasn't supposed to exist in this world? Either one of them made her worry, and she wondered if it could possibly be a mix of both. Lifting up his uniform shirt for a moment, she saw that his bandages both looked and felt rather fresh. He wasn't bleeding then, that was a good sign.

She sighed, and guessed that it was indeed the paradox effect, she gently got up and laid him back on the couch. Moments later the front door softly opened, and Cloud walked in.

"I'm home."

She flinched in shock, not knowing what to say when she turned to him.

"What happened?" He asked, eyes darting back to her and Hope.

"He and Noel came looking for Rain to make sure he was alright, he's injured. That and since he's not supposed to exist here he's..."

He nodded, no need for her to finish. She sighed as she stepped away from Hope, and looked up at Cloud.

"I...I need to talk to you."

"About what? Look, I brought you a rose and I know is your favorite."

He smiled as he handed it to her.

"I...Thanks..." she said, taking it as she forced a smile. "But..."

Oh he was making this so much harder now...

"Something wrong?" He asked frowning.

Apparently this was pretty serious.

"Cloud...I've been having nightmares lately, about Hope being killed." she couldn't help glance back over to him on the couch, then glanced down. "He needs me..."

His heart skipped a beat.

"What?"

"I haven't decided yet, but I'm going to have to choose between you and him..."

"What are you talking about? First you tell me Rain is your son and now this?"

"I told you I love you both, and it's true. I don't want to hurt either of you, or leave any of my children, but..."

"What about Rainbow?"

"If I leave, she'll stay with you..."

"But she needs you, she's still a child and needs her mom."

"She's not supposed to exist in the other world Cloud, she'll die. You've already seen what's happening with Rain..."

He sighed, apparently not having any more to say.

"I'm sorry..." She muttered.

He just silently walked past her. When she went to go set the rose on the counter, she heard their bedroom door softly shut. When she glanced back over at Hope, she saw him slowly sitting up and rubbing his head as he regained consciousness, apparently not as seriously effected as she thought.

"Light?" Hope asked, looking around for her.

"I'm here."

She walked over to him, but he frowned when he saw the look of guilt and confusion in her eyes.

"What happened?"

"I talked to Cloud and..."

"...Do you want me to leave for a while? I can wait in the other New Bodhum on the other side of the gate..."

"I don't' know..."

"I don't want to complicate things..."

"I know, but I have another child."

"I see..." he muttered. "That does complicate things..."

Another man, another child...He was losing her...

"Let's not forget about Faith." Rain said as he walked back inside, still angry and frustrated, even though he had tried to take a long walk to get rid of that. "Do you have any idea how many times she's cried because she's missed you? And Ashling-"

"Rain!" Hope warned, making him shut his mouth.

"Humph." he muttered as he, too, left the room.

Hope sighed and shook his head. "He got your attitude that's for sure..."

"Yeah..." She had definitely noticed that, it made her smile a bit. "That's my boy, certainly not my little Rain drop anymore."

"He's really taken after you...He even wants to join the Guardian Corps."

"Rainbow, too."

"Rainstorm and Rainbow huh?" he said, smiling a bit. "It fits."

She chuckled, making him smile more. That was the Light he wanted to see.

"I know, it's a good name."

"Is she like you, too?"

"No, of course not. Cloud is like me but Rainbow is a very happy girl, rarely gets sad."

"Hm, wonder where she got that from then..."

"I think she's a little angel who wants to heal our soul."

"I bet she and Faith would get along well then...And you're sure there's been no sign of her?" he asked more than a little worried.

"I don't know where she can be, unless..." It finally clicked, and her eyes widened. "God I'm an idiot! Why didn't I think of that before!"

"What? What is it?"

"Valhalla..."

Hope's heart skipped a beat. No wonder why she looked scared now.

"…That's…a problem then. If Faith's in Valhalla... Caius can come and go there as he pleases right?"

"I fear so."

He bit his lip.

"I'll do some research and figure out if there's any possibility of getting there, or getting her out." He then glanced out the window at Cocoon. "I can also give my notes on the new Cocoon to The Academy so they can be prepared when it falls. Is my father still alive in this world?"

"Don't know, haven't seen or heard from him in years."

"Do you think you could find out for me? If he is then he'll most likely be the director and I can give my notes to him. He'll be shocked about seeing me alive I'm sure, but it's our only chance..."

"Right, I'll do it."

"Thanks Light." he said smiling at her, before giving her a quick kiss. "I'll be on the other side gathering all this information we need. If you need to see me the gate's on the western part of the beach."

"Okay."

"I'll see you soon then." he said before he left, frowning after he did so.

He found Noel sitting on the beach, keeping a close eye on Kristof as he played with the other welcoming kids around.

"Noel...Do you think she'll come back with us?"

"She's got another family here doesn't she?" He guessed and he nodded sadly.

"I don't know then..."

But I need her...

He just sighed, and headed towards the gate.

Author's Notes

Long chapter is long? And late update too...Reasons? School was a bitch with finals blah and then I had ACEN a week after. I also haven't gotten a single comment since chapter 3 so that's not really helping my motivation here...Did I scare everyone off with that plot twist or what?