Hello everyone! I'm sorry for the very delayed update! But it's here! At last! I didn't forget about this story either. Oh and thank you all for reading and reviewing! It makes me suppper duppper happy!
As a treat, I made this chapter long, so enjoy!
"Now are you going to tell me?" Cloud was getting impatient. He had a job to do, and this man wasn't letting him do his job.
"Your Majesty, it's dangerous to get inside the City , if you get spotted by the Tenebraen soldiers you will be killed on spot." Cloud glared at Vincent. "Majesty? You've got me mixed up with someone, sorry, bye." He turned around, ready to walk away, but Vincent grabbed onto his arm, with his golden metal claw.
"You are Cloud Strife, King of Cocoon, whether you like it or not." Cloud turned and glared at Vincent. "What proof do you have?" Cloud broke free of Vincent's grasp, turning to face him completely. Vincent smiled faintly.
" Lady Aerith's ring. " Cloud narrowed his eyes at Vincent, when his wife's name escaped the caped man's lips. "What about her?"
"Her Majesty is dead, Cloud." Cloud's eyes widened slightly. He had a feeling she was, but the news, still stung.
"If she was the Queen, then that would make you the King." Cloud didn't want to accept this man's words so easily, but he was right. If he was married to Aerith, then he really was the King. Cloud looked away from Vincent.
"Even if I am the King, what good would it do me now if I've lost most of my memories." Vincent sighed. "Cloud, once you are done with that job of yours, give me a call, I have more things to discuss with you later on. For now, enter the city with a low profile, don't let people look at your face, because in just a few moments, things are going to get wild."
Vincent gave Cloud a card with his number written on it. "I finally did as you told me, Majesty, I finally got that phone you were nagging me about." Cloud took the card, feeling a small grin appear on his face.
Vincent did his best to give Cloud a reassuring smile, but it only came out as a small smirk. Cloud smirked back. "I'm the King aren't I? I can't get killed, not for a second time. I feel that returning to this City will restore my memories." Vincent placed his hand on Cloud's shoulder.
"Majesty, if it's you, then you can do it."
The Royal Palace
Lightning watched in silence as everyone around her enjoyed themselves. One, she didn't want to be here, and two, she was around the people she hated the most. She was still awaiting Yuffie's signal. Which by the way, had yet to come around. She became even more irritated.
"Ah, your highness, I think those foolish people actually believed you cared." Jihl chuckled softly. Lightning heard her remark. She narrowed her eyes at Jihl.
"It's no wonder they lost the battle ten years ago." another went on. Lightning stood up quietly, and bowed her head. "Highness, I shall excuse myself, I am feeling unwell." Lightning lied through her teeth. In truth, she was angry, not only at them, but herself as well. She couldn't do anything about the insults they were directing at her country.
Noctis watched Lightning carefully, he examined her movements, her expressions; Noctis just couldn't keep his eyes off her. One thing Noctis was an expert at, was reading people, and Noctis knew Lightning was lying. Her facial expressions said it all. He knew she was angry. Noctis sighed, glaring at Jihl. "Miss Jihl Nabaat, please refrain from using insults against the country we are currently in. " Stella laughed softly. "Oh, Noctis, what they were saying was true."
Noctis turned his head and he narrowed his eyes at Stella. "It's unfitting for a princess to be so rude." Stella glared and turned away from him. Noctis sighed, standing up and also excusing himself. He had to go apologize to Lightning. Even though, he wasn't at fault for anything, he felt in his need to do so.
Lightning bit her tongue before Stella. Why couldn't she just defend her country? Her home?
Noctis watched her every movement. He watched the sadness that overcame Lightning, and for some strange reason, he too felt a bit sad himself.
"If only, I wasn't so weak." She whispered to herself.
As soon as he heard that, Noctis felt even worse. He wanted to touch her, but restrained himself.
It's alright, you did your best.
She heard a voice that felt so familiar and warm to her, her gaze looked even sadder.
"Miss Lightning." Then a familiar, unpleasant voice came from behind her. She narrowed her eyes, instantly hiding her emotions away.
"Your Highness." She said in a low unwelcoming voice.
"Please, forgive them for their rudeness. It was unjust of them to do so." Lightning glared at him.
"Why do you care so suddenly?" She snapped back in anger. Unfortunately for Lightning, she still was feeling angry over the incident from before.
"Because, this is your home Country, is it not?"
"Mind your own business."
"If you hate Tenebrae so much, why are you serving under Stella?" Lightning glared at him. "You ask too many questions. Leave me alone. " Lightning was getting irritated, why did Noctis care so much? She hated when people tried to pry into her business.
"Good, little Princess, just sit there tight." Prompto had his finger on the trigger, just one click could do it, end Stella's life. End his best friend's misery, avenge the death of his cousin. He just needed to pull the trigger, and it was over. Prompto smiled.
BANG
He finally did it, he pulled the trigger, and the bullet shattered the glass window.
Many of the guests became very alarmed to the sound of the shattering glass. When the window shattered, another bullet came flying in.
Screams could be heard from the dinning hall. Noctis heard the gunshot and ran in, with Lightning trailing behind.
Another bullet was fired, aiming to hit Stella once more. But this time, Noctis had interfered. His eyes flickered red, and the bullet was deflected back.
Prompto grinned. "Ahh, should have known I would fail with Noct around." He sighed. "Well, guess it's time to escape."
Stella flung herself over Noctis. "You saved me, thank you." Noctis remained cold with her as always. "It was nothing." He replied back. Stella let go of Noctis.
"And, Jihl, find who ever is responsible for this at once."
"Yes my Lady!" She turned to Lightning. "You remain by my side."
Lightning nodded reluctantly. "Yes your Highness." She replied back.
Yuffie Kisaragi searched around. Searching almost every corner of the treasure room.
"The hell? I wish Reeve could have given me a clue at least!" She grumbled slightly irritated. "Not even Materia is this hard to find." She grumbled again. Yuffie then sighed, as she continued to search some more.
"Ahah! I found it!" She jumped up. Before her stood the statue of a beautiful woman. The Goddess, Cosmos. Yuffie grinned when she saw what she was looking for. "The Gift of the Goddess, I wonder what this old thing does, its not materia, I wonder what that old man wants it for." Yuffie said, as she took a hold of the orb that adorned the statue.
She picked up her radio. "Reeve, mission complete!"
"Good, the signal?"
"On it dude!"
"Don't call me that." Yuffie grinned. "Yeah, yeah, Ten-four." She replied back quickly. She set her radio back down, taking out a small controler from her pocket.
She heard a gunshot from not to far away. Yuffie grinned.
"Well, Time for the best part of the party!" She slipped out of treasure room and made her escape.
"Boom!" She whispered, and she pressed the red button. "Mission complete!"
Explosions were heard throughout the entire palace. The ground shook slightly, and what's more, another bomb went off in the dinning hall. Now it wasn't just any bomb. It was a smoke bomb. Made specially for Lightning's escape. This was her chance to leave and to never be near Stella again.
Stella was coughing. She held a hand to her mouth and she tried her best not to inhale any of the smoke. It was dark, and hazy she couldn't see a thing. While on the other hand, Noctis could, and it was all thanks to the power of the crystal. His eyes flickered red again. Though not much, his vision was at least protected, and he could see, somewhat. While on the other hand he had to cover his mouth.
Lightning couldn't move. The smoke made her immobilized. While she tried to look for the exit, an arm grabbed onto her. Startled Lightning tried to fight off who ever was grabbing her, and she figured it was Noctis, so she was going to hit him, but she couldn't. The person grabbing her had a firm grip on her arm.
"Majesty, it's alright. Come with me, your safety is first." The voice felt familiar. But she complied, if this meant her escape. She was taken by the hand"We must leave before the smoke clears up." She wanted to hit the man for even touching her. But that would have to wait.
She heard another gun shot, and another window shatter. She was picked up and carried bridal style. She wanted to kill this man for his actions, but again that would also have to wait until later.
She felt the man leap up and jump, but she had no idea what he was doing. She didn't dare to open her eyes, because all that smoke just made her eyes sensitive.
Although his vision wasn't so good, in the state he was in now, he just saw a man take Lightning and escape with her. Not only that, but the word "Majesty" escaped this man's lips. Noctis narrowed his eyes. Who was Lightning really? She wasn't just an ordinary girl, there was more to her than that. He wanted to know more, and the more he knew, the more his attraction towards her grew.
The Streets of Eden
The Tenebraen soldiers ran all over the City. Serah was worried, what was all the ruckus about? Was Lightning okay?
But a yell snapped her out of her thoughts.
"Hey! Let go of me! I did nothing wrong!" A boy yelled back at one of the guards. "I'm only here on Vacation! I don't even live in Cocoon you idiots!" The guard seemed to have bought the story because they threw the kid down. The kid landed with a loud thud.
"Damn bastards." The kid muttered under his breath.
"Are you okay?" Serah knelt down beside him, with a worried expression on her face. There was a big bruise on his arm; She noticed. "Here let me help you. " She smiled sweetly. She placed her hand gently on his bruise and green light emitted from her hand. When she stopped, the bruise was gone. "There you go. All better." The boy blushed slightly. "Thank you-"
"HEY YOU THERE." Serah heard a scream from behind her. "You L'cie scum!" Serah stood up. "I'm not a L'cie!" The Guard grabbed Serah's arm. "I said I'm not a L' cie, please let go of me, I'm just a student!"
"Let go of her, she was trying to help me you bastards!" The boy tried to help Serah, but in return he was pushed back roughly.
"Your coming with us." Serah tried her best to get free of the man's grap, but she just couldn't.
"Snow, Lightning, help me." She whimpered slightly.
"HEY." The Guards, Serah, and the boy looked up.
It was a man, but they coudln't tell who it was. His face was hidden by the hood he wore on his head. He held up a blue orb.
"Miss, did you drop your materia?" Serah looked at the man quizically. "Um, Materia?" Serah knew what it was of course, but then she suddenly caught on. Serah nodded. "Yes, I accidentally dropped it. Thank goodness, I thought it was lost for good." Serah smile playing along.
"Materia? The use of materia is forbidden here." One of the guards added. Serah turned around. "I'm sorry, Like I said, I'm just a student , I just came from Midgar so, I don't know much about Cocoon's laws." Serah smiled innocently. The guard eyed her closely. Serah's innocent look got to him. The guard scratched the back of his head, sighing. "Well, then now you know, so this will be the last time you use the power of materia here in Cocoon. Got that little missy?" Serah smiled again. "Yes, of course, thank you."
"Hmph." The guards turned around and left. The boy looked at Serah and the hooded man. "Thanks, miss...uh.."
"Serah. Call me Serah. And you are?"
"Hope, and Thanks, for everything. You risked alot to save me." Serah shook her head. "Not at all, though we should really thank that man." Serah turned her eyes towards the hooded man.
"Right?" She smiled sweetly.
"I was just being a good Samaritan Ma'am."
Hope smiled. "Well, Miss Serah, I gotta go. Later!" Hope waved his hand to her, with a large grin to his face. He turned around and ran off to find his mom.
The mysterious hooded man was none other than Cloud strife, but like Vincent had said to him earlier, he had to keep a low profile. He looked at the girl closely. She indeed looked familiar. The way she looked at him with kind eyes, it was all so familiar. And at last when he heard the name 'Serah' he felt a slight headache coming around to him.
The name 'Serah' where had he heard it before? Why did this girl make him feel warmth?
Serah looked at the man carefully. "Sir, is something wrong?" Cloud shook his head. "No nothing."
"Actually, do you know a woman named Lightning?" Serah nodded. "Yes, she's my sister, do you need her for something?" Cloud hit the jackpot. Now all he had to do was deliver the package and leave this horrible City. "I have a package to give her."
"Okay then, follow me!" Serah beamed, looking as cheerful and bright as ever.
By the time Lightning and the person who had carried her were out of the palace area, Lightning decided to finally open her eyes. When she looked up at her savior, her eyes widened slightly.
"Vincent?"
They were actually serious about restoring her rights to the throne. Lightning closed her eyes. She knew they would keep insisting at this attempt for as long as she lived. Because she was a soldier, she would not back down either. She wanted to make a safe place for Serah. If this was the chance she got, then she would go with it. She had a chance to redeem herself and she wasn't going to lose this chance.
"Forgive me, Majesty. " Vincent replied back. "For what? You didn't do anything wrong." Lightning knew Vincent well, and he wasn't the one to apologize just like that. She wanted to ask more, but she knew better than to pry into another person's business.
"Vincent, put me down, we're no longer in the palace. I can walk just fine." Vincent obeyed, and set her down as she wanted. Lightning's eyes wandered around, examining the area they were in. She knew this place all too well. It was kind of creepy, and if she spoke loud enough, her voice could even echo out throughout the entire place.
"These corridors." She spoke softly.
"Underneath the palace."
"The waterways? But didn't my mother seal them off?" Vincent shook his head. "These will lead you back to the outskirts of Eden. Once we get out, Go to Lady Serah and get her out. They'll notice your gone, and once they do, you'll be in danger, and so will Serah. We make way for Midgar."
"Midgar?"
"Yes, your Highness, you will receive protection from Lord Rufus." Lightning bit her lip. "Meaning lock down." Lightning narrowed her eyes. They were going to try and shelter her from danger. That's one thing she didn't want. For Cosmos sake she was a trained soldier she could fight on her own! But Vincent knew all to well what Lightning was thinking. He sighed.
"That's not what I meant. Lord Rufus, and many others wish to restore your rightful place to the throne. But there is a problem to that. "
They both walked down the waterways. It was noisy inside, due to the running water. Lightning listened carefully to Vincent.
"And, what problem is that?"
"Proof of your birth right. " Lightning stopped to look at Vincent in question. "Proof of my birth right?"
"The gifts of the goddess, Cosmos." Lightning turned her head off to the side.
"O thee divine Cosmos, may your blessings be eternal... " Lightning trailed off. Vincent turned to her. "So you remember that. I see Her Majesty's lessons did some good for you." Lightning narrowed her eyes. "What use does it have to me now? I can't use those stupid lessons now, can I?" Vincent smirked. "You will soon enough." He uttered, continuing to walk ahead.
The smoke had eventually cleared up in the palace. Stella stood up, rubbing her eyes. When she opened them she took a quick glance around. "There is one missing. Where is Lightning?" Noctis shook his head. "It seems that she has escaped." Stella narrowed her eyes. "Escaped? So you mean to tell me, that she was apart of all this?"
"Seems so." Noctis added. "So, all this time.."
"My lady, it seems that the culprits have escaped. "Stella glared at Jihl. "I am aware of that. But good for you, that I know the identity of one already. " Jihl looked dumbfounded as the Princess spoke. "Lightning Farron. Find her, bring her to me, I will show Cocoon what we do to rebels."
Jihl bowed her head. "Yes your highness."
Stella looked playful as she said that, and that creeped Noctis out. He knew that Lightning's life was in danger, he wanted to help, but at the same time he knew that if he help it would mean treason, and that alone had a higher cost for him, as a prince.
"Majesty.." In his thoughts, those words lingered. He wondered about Lightning, and who she really was. "It can't be..." He thought to himself. "She's dead.." Noctis looked up. "Stella, I'm going home. I have some important business to attend to. " Stella made a pout. "Aww, so soon? At least kiss me good bye, Noctis." Noctis glared at her. "Don't do improper things, you know better." Stella bit her lip in anger.
"Yes of course, forgive me."
As soon as Noctis made an exit, Stella laughed softly. "Just you wait, all of you. I'm going to have you all under my finger soon."
"Okay! Welcome to my home!" Serah chirped. Cloud almost smiled at her. But why did he almost smile? What was so special about this girl? Another thing Cloud noted was that she was the exact opposite of what Lightning was. He didn't know Lightning, but from what they described to him, this girl was the exact polar opposite. She was cheerful, warm, caring, and she was always smiling. Just like Aerith.
Why did he compare her to Aerith in the first place? Cloud lowered his head. What was wrong with him? He was comparing this silly girl to his most treasured person.
"Um, Sir, you could just leave the package here."
"Sorry, I can't leave the package in your hands. Customer policy. I have to deliver it to Lightning."
Serah sighed again. "Because you seem really uneasy, are you sure?"
"Yes, positive."
Serah sighed again. "Alright, if you say so."
"Alright, we made it out in one piece." Zack grinned. "Snow, I don't know what you'll be doing but we're headed to Midgar. All of us are. "
"Quick question. Why are we doing all of this?" He accepted the mission, but never once got t he chance to ask why they were attacking the palace. Sure he was aware that they were releasing innocent soldiers, but as in the rest, he was clueless.
"We're working towards the restoration of Cocoon. We're going to get Her Highness' rights back."
"Highness..." Snow pondered. Then it struck him. "No..you can't mean.." Tifa nodded her head slowly. "Yes, our princess has been alive all this time, and, its her time to shine, not Stella." Snow laughed softly. "That's why, we are going to Midgar. We will meet our Princess there."
Snow grinned. "Alright, Count me in! To Midgar we go." Zack grinned back at Snow. "Alright, then lets go!"
"Serah. I'm home. "
Serah turned her attention towards the door. "Oh, it's my sister. She's home." She turned to Cloud and smiled. Cloud nodded his head.
"Oh great! Come here, There's a man wanting to deliver a package to you." Lightning's eyes went wide, she quickly rushed into the living room and stood by her sister. "Serah, he's a stranger why did you let him into our home?"
"He's not a bad man, Light. He save me from the Royal guards." Lightning narrowed her eyes, feeling uneasy about Cloud.
"You know, its rude to have your hat or hood on inside a house. It's bad manners."
Cloud sighed, wanting to leave already. But when he took a good look at Lightning, His gaze softened when he saw her. Had he met her before also? She seemed like someone very important to him. He could tell she was angry by the way her cheeks almost puffed up to form a pout. Her blue eyes, they were like as if he was looking into his own. That scared him a bit. Cloud shook of his thoughts.
"If you don't like it I'll leave quickly, but here." He said dropping the package on the coffee table. "The sender is Oerba Dia Vanille. " Lightning, lowered her guard a bit. "Thank you, you can leave now."
Cloud turned around in silence. He completed his job, and now he was finished. It was his time to leave now.
"Sir, I never got your name."
Cloud stopped, and turned to Serah. "It Clo-.." He paused. "It's nothing."
Serah and Lightning watched as Cloud made his leave. Serah sighed softly. "I don't know, but I felt at ease just by being near him." Lightning turned to Serah. "You know better than bringing strangers into the house."
"Relax Eclair, like I said before, he saved my life." Lightning looked away. "Serah, we have to leave now." Serah looked at Lightning in Question. "What? what do you mean?"
"Serah, in any minute the Tenebraen soldiers could get here. We have to escape to Midgar, there we will be under Rufus' care." Serah was about to speak, and question Lightning once more.
"What did you do, Light?"
"I'm a wanted criminal, for conspiracy against the crown." She replied. Instead of frowning, Serah smiled. "Okay, lets go to Uncle Rufus."
"Your not mad, Serah?" Her sister shook her head. "No not at all. "
"Don't you hate Rufus Shinra?"
Serah giggled softly. "We have no choice."
Lightning sighed at her sister and quickly nodded her head.
"Right. We're leaving everything behind again, and Snow too."
Serah had a saddened expression on her face, yet her look was gentle. "I'm fine with it. Because this time, we're not running away, this time, we're going to protect our home, and if its for the Kingdom, always at your side, Your Majesty." Lightning blushed in embarrassment.
"You idiot." She muttered. Serah kept on smiling as always, because she believed in Lightning.
Cloud stood outside the door. He didn't mean too, but he had heard the name 'Eclair'. Another jolt of pain went through his head.
He walked on ahead. Fragments of memories flashed by in his head. "Eclair, Serah.."He stopped to pick up his phone. Vincent seemed to know a lot about him, so that's who he was gonna call. He took the card out of his pocket and dialed the number.
"Vincent, I'm done, where do I meet you?"
"Head to Midgar."
Cloud hung up.
"So, to Midgar it is."
Nah nah nah! Writers block, and a loooong vacation, plus I had school to worry about so sorry guys. On a side note. I feel that my writing got worse, but I will continue to write this story just for fun. Don't worry, I will keep updating!
If you've noticed, while Lightning has not yet fallen for Noctis, she will soon. How will Lightning find out her father is alive? Hmmmmm. That's for me to know and you to keep on reading my story! xD
Also, forgive me if Stella is OC. I know Square has her as a kind character, BUT. This is an AU story. Besides its mine. This is for entertainment purposes only. Oh, and forgive the horrible writing and grammatical errors. I tend not to notice them when I proof read xD Until like, I've read it like the 4th time.
Remember to Read and Review!