Another quick update! Unreachable reviewers first!

Hope's Light – They sure got what was coming to them didn't they? Ha ha! I liked writing that about them! I;m glad you like Lightning's comfort too! And Yay Lightning!

HopexLightning- Yeah, I always though it would be interesting if the Eidolons could talk to their masters. I guess they would call them that huh? Warm and fuzzy, just the way it should be!

HopexLight4Ever – Yup, several people are starting to look at Colin that way! It makes me excited! Just what is his role in this? As for Lightning, she's working hard! Anything for Hope!

In Light There's Hope :3 – Somehow, I don't think Lightning would have approved! :) And yes, fear the talking Eidolons! And they are cute, family or otherwise!

Naoto07- Yes! That is why they must suffer! Suffer bad Sanctum! And Lightning is doing everything she can for Hope, even though it's getting harder every day.

I want to thank all of you for the wonderful reviews! I got quite a few that just made me swell with happiness! I want to thank everyone and I hope you'll continue to tell me what you think of the story! Personally, I really liked this chapter. It's a tad different from the others...but I still think you'll enjoy!

Disclaimer here!

…..........................................................

Hope floated on air...the world around him an empty white. There was no golden light, no haunting images of his parents, and no claw-like hands to grasp at him. He opened his eyes, surprised when he felt neither the pain or fatigue of the ordeal he had been through. He blinked against the blinding one color scenery, and tried to sit up. It was difficult in a world that contained no ground, but he manged to get up. Or...it seemed like he did. He wasn't entirely sure.

"Where am I now?" he asked himself. He sighed, feeling the weight on his chest intensify, and tried to block out the words of the officials as they came to him. He was...unsuccessful. "Why...did he go that far. He didn't have to...he had no right...dammit!" Hope shook his head and threw a punch at nothing.

Suddenly there was a giggle.

"H-Hello?"

The giggling started up again but louder. It was familiar to Hope, loud and cheerful, but with just a hint of something sadder. It was a sound he thought he would never hear again...from a person he thought he'd never see.

"V-Vanille?"

The white world shuddered...making Hope whip around in a panic. Teal blues began to leak from nowhere...acting like sea waves. They rolled around, sending everything into blue green, and Hope felt as if he were underwater. He held his breath, looking around for the surface, but was startled when he felt a tap on his shoulder. He whipped around and came face to face with the red-headed, Pulsian girl.

"Vanille!" Hope gasped, but then quickly covered his mouth, half expecting bubbles to come out. When none did, he removed his hands with a perplexed expression, and looked toward Vanille again. "H-How?"

Vanille only smiled at him though. She still wore the happy attire, her smile was as wide as ever, and she still held the air of someone who couldn't wait to get moving. She spun around, running her hand through the weird new scenery.

"Vanille?"

She paused, almost as if she had just noticed he was there, and gave her another bubbly smile. "Hey Hope!" She said, "Don't you love this stuff! It's so pretty!"

"But...what is it?"

"I'm not really sure. But I know I love it! Isn't that enough?"

Hope resisted the urge to roll his eyes but a smile made it's way to his face. This was one of the things he missed most about Vanille. She's find a way to make him smile, whether he wanted to or not.

"It does...feel different...like everything could just...float away." Hope breathed it in...noticing how at peace he felt. Even with everything going on outside the place, it seemed like it couldn't touch him here. It was more than relieving...but there were still a few pressing matters. "But why are you here Vanille? How?"

"I'm not really sure myself." She said, returning to waving her hands in the stuff, "I mean...it is your dream after all."

"So you're not real?"

"It's all in your head Hope. Who knows...maybe I am."

"You're not making any sense."

Vanille turned back to Hope, a sad smile on her face this time, and she walked up to him, grabbing his hand. "I'm sorry Hope." She rubbed his hand with her thumb and began to walk, pulling him along. '"Everything is really messed up...And your dad..."

Hope bit his lip but shook his head. Then, knowing Vanille wasn't looking, said in a sheepish voice, "No...it's not like you could have done anything...like anyone could...I'm just...so frustrated and sad. I wanted to spend more time with him...tell him I was sorry. And now I can't."

"There's always later you know."

"What?"

"I'll tell you later." Vanille said, giving him another, more mysterious smile. Her face then took on a serious expression, one he wasn't used to ever seeing on Vanille, "You know Hope, you have to be careful." She stopped and looked up at the endless blue, seeing something that Hope couldn't. He wanted to ask her what it was, but the words wouldn't leave his mouth. He settled for another burning question.

"Do you know what's happening Vanille?"

She squeezed his hand tighter and looked down, clearly troubled. It was a long time before she faced him again, "No Hope...I'm sorry...I really don't. It's familiar though..." She sighed and looked back up, "...and it's bad. I can feel it...even now. It's trying to claw it's way in here." Vanille then stroked the blue scene again, as if she could feel exactly where the force was lurking.

"Hope...you can't trust these dreams..."

"But...what do they even mean...whatever...that was...it even grabbed me. I don't...I don't get it. What do I do?"

"And you can't give up okay?" She said as if he hadn't spoken. "You really can't do that one! If you do...I'll...I'll pinch you!" She tried.

"Vanille."

"You have to find out what it is Hope...and how to fight it...at least, that's what I think." Hope nodded, looking up. He noticed how the blue was starting to fade and when he looked at Vanille, he saw that she was too, "Wait!"

"You know I can't do that Hope..." Vanille turned to him, smiling another of her sad smiles. "You know how impatient Fang can be."

Hope let out a sad sigh, reluctantly letting the grip on her hand loosen, "I miss you...we all do."

Vanille let out a light laugh and reached in to hug him, "Same here...and Hope...try to smile okay? Who knows...maybe it'll all seem better once you do! Just...try not to let it eat you alive...it might get you...even if you don't..."

"Vanille...?"

"See you around...Hope."

Hope let out another sigh, trying not to let the pinpricks in his eyes bother him, "See you Vanille."

And she faded away along with the comforting blue.

…...............................................................

The first sound Hope heard as he was dragged back into the real world was the muffled sounds of arguing. One was familiar and warm...and he knew that it was Lightning. The other was deeper, and Hope had the suspicion that it was Colin. He blinked his eyes open and saw a white tiled ceiling. He tried to move his arm, but his muscles were heavy like lead and refused to listen. Groggily, he turned his head.

"Hope?" He was met with Serah, her blue eyes, so much like her sister's, shining with worry. She ran her fingers through his hair and said in hushed tones, "Are you all right?"

"Y-Yeah..." Hope tried to grin, but it came out as a grimace, so he tried to sit up instead.

"Not yet Hope." Serah said, pushing him back down easily, "You're gonna be tired for a while. No need to tire yourself yet..." Hope nodded, then spotted Snow looming behind her, clearly wanting to come and see him as well. This time he really did manage a smile. Serah followed his line of vision and smiled herself, rolling her eyes at her husband to be. "He's been really fussy, so I told him he couldn't see you until he calmed down."

"What? I haven't been as fussy as you!"

"But you don't know any cure spells."

"So? You hardly know any either."

"More than you though." Serah said playfully, sticking out her tongue. She stepped aside though and let Snow through, but now that he could actually see Hope, he seemed a little lost as to what he should do.

"Um...hey?" Serah swatted his arm and a faint blush tinted his cheeks.

"Hey?"

"Well...good to see you're not dead!" Another slap from Serah but much harder this time. Hope chuckled though. Snow smiled, but then his face turned serious. Hope couldn't quite grasp it and was glad the face happened rarely. "So...are you really okay Hope?"

Hope let out a rueful smile and covered his eyes with his hands, "No...actually I feel like shit."

"Hope!"

"Aw, let him Serah."

"I had a weird dream too...and not the ones I've been having. No...this time Vanille was in there..." Snow, who had opened his mouth to say something, fell silent at those words. She nor Fang had really been mentioned since the incident. They weren't dead by any means...but that didn't make it any easier. They grieved for the friends they would probably never see again in silence...

Snow was concerned now more than ever.

"It was really weird..." Hope continued, paying their silence no mind, "I mean...it's not like when I dreamed of mom or dad. It was like she was really there, visiting me. And she was giving me advice and laughing...I though I'd never hear that again. I was happy...and sad. I mean...was it really real? Was it a dream? I know it sounds stupid...but I kinda wish it was real." Hope paused, wondering if he should take it any further. He did not know how much of the weird happenings they knew about or what Lightning might have theorized by now. But if he was ever going to move forward...he had to start with this.

"She even told me...to be careful about that weird light that's been bugging me..." Hope moved his hands away, blinking at the sudden brightness of the room, "I mean...maybe it's just a dream...but that's just a little too coincidental...to...real..." Hope glanced at Snow and Serah and saw their serious expressions. He sighed and sat up, ignoring his protesting muscles and Serah's warnings not to. "I'm sorry..." he mumbled out, gasping slightly at the effort such little movement had cost him, "I know this is pretty messed up...and all before your wedding and-"

"Hope."

"Hm? OW!" Hope yelped, rubbing his forehead where Snow had flicked it. From the tenderness he could tell there was going to be a red mark there, "What was that for?"

"For talking like an idiot." Snow said gruffly, crossing his arms, "We already told you that we're here for you know matter what, so stop talking like you're in the way." He raised his hand and Hope went to cover his forehead against another assault. Instead, Snow ruffled his hair, "Because you aren't."

"R-Right..."

"But that dream is pretty freaky...we better tell sis about it. She'll have a cow if we don't."

"Snow!"

"Well it's true!"

"Where is Lightning anyway?" Hope asked, looking around for her.

"Outside, trying to argue discreetly with Colin. The moment we made it to the hospital she started going after him about a few things. Like what to do with you, what might be happening, what they had to do now. But it's weird, it's more like she's attacking him than anything."

"She's probably just frustrated...I mean, it's been forever since we've been able to rest easy...it was bound to get to her."

"Sorry."

"Again Hope, not your fault." Hope nodded, but allowed his eyes to travel to the door. He could see tiny buts of their shadows standing just outside, but he couldn't hear a word they were saying. But his mind was whirring at the possibilities...

Why would Light be angry at him...

Think like a soldier...

Well...he had those chips with the info right? Maybe it's something about that? I mean...she's a soldier, she has to rethink everything...especially if it's too convenient. Or maybe it has to do with what we're gonna have to do next? Ugh...this is so confusing...

"Hope?" Serah asked, brushing his bangs away from his forehead, "Are you okay? Is your head hurting?"

"Wha-No...sorry. Just thinking..." The doors opened and Lightning and Colin walked in, Lightning looking calm and serious, Colin just a little bit sheepish. Lightning's eyes immediately found Hope's and she smiled.

"Good, you're awake." She strode over to him and leaned next to the bed, mimicking her sister's actions, "How are you feeling?"

"Good...we've got some stuff to tell you." Hope glanced at Colin and gave a slight shake of the head, letting her know it was supposed to be private. She nodded in understanding and sat on the bed, crossing her legs. Hope was surprised, but then a blush made its way to his cheeks when she pushed him down against the bed again and laid a comforting hand on top of his.

"You should still be resting Hope." She said simply, although there was a faint tint on her cheeks as well. Hope I did that right... She thought. She straightened up and prepared to address them all, "Clearly...Hope's problem with...whatever that was is escalating." Hope gulped at this and Lightning squeezed his hand, understanding his fear, "From what I've been able to gather, it's an l-cie problem, or something similar. When we were trying to calm Hope down after all,Odin was the one who walked me through it. And when we first saw this thing get worse, the symbols were like those of an Eidolon's."

"Light?"

"Yes Hope?"

"Well...Alexander has been...well, he'd been trying to tell me about it too." Lightning's eyes widened slightly but she nodded.

"I see..." She squeezed his hand again, "Well...that does seem to confirm it then. And because it's an l-cie problem, chances are we're not going to find much info here."

"Wait sis, you don't mean-"

"It's not as if we have much of an option. We're going to start preparations for a departure flight to Oerba...and try to find some information on whatever this is."

"We're going...to Oerba?" Hope said, although it came out a little hoarse.

"Yes Hope...we don't have any other options. Oerba was probably the most intact city we found on Gran Pulse so it's best to start there." There was a slight pang in Hope's chest at the thought of going to that place...especially without Fang and Vanille. Even if it was necessary, there was still something about it that made it feel wrong. And as Hope looked at the others faces, he could tell that they felt the same. However, Lightning's voice did not waiver as she continued.

"Colin has assured me that we'll have a Guardian Corps. Escort when we leave as well. It will make searching a whole to faster..." The way Colin looked at that point though, it seemed like it didn't have much to do with that at all. Hope wanted to know more but promised to wait until later to question Light about it. "We're going to have to ask you about everything you've been seeing Hope. Otherwise it'll be like looking in the dark." Hope nodded, although he certainly wasn't looking forward to recounting the strange dreams.

"We'll have to comb the whole area...not one thing can be overlooked." I'm going to help you Hope...no matter what it takes. "I'm going to ask Sazh to come as well, so Serah-"

"No!"

"Wha-"

"I'm not going to just stay behind and babysit. I want to help too!"

Lightning groaned and rubbed her forehead, "Serah, I know you want to help, but you're too inexperienced. It will be too dangerous for you to be out there on the field-"

"But Hope-"

"I've seen him fight Serah, I know he can handle it. But you..."

"Snow will protect me!"

"Serah!"

"Please Lightning...I want to be able to help too. I want to...to be able..." She looked at Hope, eyes filled with worry and concern, like she just wanted to run up to him and hug his worries away, "I know I'm not as strong as you all, but I'll get better! I mean...even if I just carry some of the equipment or cast a few healing spells, anything that can help! Please Lightning...I want to help Hope too! I want to do what I can..." She choked slightly on her words and tried to bite it back, cursing herself for sounding weak in front of her sister. Snow wrapped his arms around her and rubbed her back in comfort, then looked at Lightning.

"Please Lightning...let her come. I swear I will protect her..."

Hope looked down at his hands, feeling embarrassed and sad for Serah. But a part of him felt warm and comforted...to have someone else care about him on the same level Lightning seemed to. This was his...family...

Lightning sighed and watched them, her eyes boring into them. Snow felt uncomfortable under the gaze, but Lightning always managed to make him feel that way. Serah stayed calm, trying not to seem weak, returning her sister's stare with a steady gaze of her own. Lightning sighed again. "I'll...consider it..."

Even though it wasn't a yes, Serah released a sigh of relief. There was a chance...and if Lightning relented a little, she may be more willing than she first thought. They continued to discuss their plans for Oerba, Colin remaining strangely silent, until Hope finally passed out on his bed. All but Lightning, who had threatened the doctors to let her stay, left after that, letting Hope catch some much needed rest.

For once...there were no dreams with golden light.