Ah, sorry for taking so long to update, I've been having computer issues. Though we only have two other computers in the house the main computer is always occupied…and I'm left with the laptop. Sadly the Microsoft word on that thing doesn't work lol.

Okays, I want to tell you this so you won't be con fused and such lol. This chapter begins on a time-skip, so we're going farther along in Gran Pulse. I hope you guys don't kill me for it O.o I'm too young! LOL

Minus the stupid rant…enjoy guys~!

Beautiful Destruction

The color…it's…it's all gone…

Fang may have not shown it, but she had to brace herself on the ledge as she saw her once beautiful home covered in crystal dust. The Party had reached the Apex of Taejin's Tower and defeated Dahaka. After their victory, Fang and Vanille's spirits flew and they became anxious to see their home. It was that now Fang stood here, crushed by the sight of the glimmering death that stole the beauty of her home. Her grip tightened on the ledge and she closed her eyes, a shaky breath leaving her.

Why?

She shut her eyes tighter as if the pressure would squeeze out the image that was forever burned in her mind.

"No...this...can't be." Fang opened her eyes and turned to the smaller woman, watching as her eyes widened. The redhead trembled slightly and hung her head, her chest heaving.

The warrior stepped forward, holding her hands out as if the girl was going to fall. "Vanille?" The red-haired Pulsian looked up at the older woman, tears spilling from her eyes. Fang swallowed thickly, and almost immediately pulled the smaller into her arms. She held her tight as she felt the wet tears sink

into her clothing.

"It's okay," the raven-haired woman said in a comforting tone. She rubbed the girl's back and closed her eyes. "People could still be there...we'll just have go and see." She held on to her adoptive sister tighter, "No worries...we still have our family..." The warrior glanced up at the rest of the group, each one of them holding different expressions of sympathy. Her eyes locked with everyone one of theirs before falling upon Lightning's azure orbs.

Yes...our new family...

Fang smiled faintly at the soldier and the pink-haired woman returned it, though her eyes were betraying her. The tanned woman sighed and at that time Vanille pulled away, wiping her eyes like a small child. The red-haired girl looked up at the taller woman, a false smile appearing on her lips. "Yeah...I think I'll be alright." Vanille glanced at the others before running over to Hope and hugging him. "I'm glad we have our new family..."

Fang nodded and put her hands on her hips, hanging her head slightly.

"Hey look," Sazh said as her pointed out another elevator. "Looks like that's our way out of here."

As the rest of the party started on their way to the elevator Lightning and Fang stayed behind, the soldier staring at the warrior with concern-stricken eyes.


I could only stand there and watch as she nearly crumbled at the sight of her home. I couldn't move... I just stood there like a statue as she suffered. Even as she tried to comfort Vanille she looked heart broken. God! Why am I so useless? She's standing there all alone you can do nothing but stare like an idiot! Do something!

"Fang..." Lightning took a step forward, slight hesitation in her movements.

Fang looked up and sighed, turning back to the ledge. She leaned on it, the wind disturbing her already wild hair. Lightning sighed also and followed her to the ledge, putting a hand on her shoulder. She felt the woman tense under her touch, which was something that surprised the soldier. Her grip tightened on her shoulder as her voice came out a bit stronger than before. "Fang look-"

The warrior slapped her hand away and a deadly growl erupted from her throat. "No...Light, I don't wanna hear it!" She motioned to Oerba, her eyes narrowed. "Light, we're chasing shadows! Trying to erase our brands was a stupid dream...we're going to have to face our focus sooner or later."

Lightning stepped back, a flash of shock crossing her usually emotionless face. Soon that shock turned into anger and frustration. "So you're going to give up, is that what you're saying to me?" The pink-haired woman exhaled, her hands balling up into fists. "Are you going to lie down and become another fal'Cie toy? To them we are just playthings!"

Fang's teeth clenched as her emerald orbs darkened. "I...I...I don't know..." She looked up, "but I don't want to see the people I care about become Cie'th."

The ex-sergeant's facial expression softened slightly, "Fang...we'll find a way to get rid of our l'Cie brands."

The raven-haired woman sighed as she rand a hand through her hair. "Sounds like an unanswered prayer..."

"It's a promise," the strawberry-blond said simply. "It's a promise, one that we made to each other..." ...The promise I made to Serah. We've got to find a way.

"So we're going to try to save the world and not become Cie'th." Fang walked away from the ledge. "This has CAN'T written all over it."

A smile played on the soldier's lips as she folded her arms across her chest. "Fang, you should know better than anyone that it's possible...because it isn't a question of can or can't..."

Fang rolled her eyes and continued, "Yeah, yeah...you just do, right? Ugh...I know! Spare me the soldier crap." Fang glanced at Lightning and her mouth curved into a cocky smirk.

"Come on..." Lightning grabbed Fang by her sash and started to pull her towards the elevator.


Everything...covered in this shimmering white. I hate it; the sight of this dust makes me feel sick! This crystal dust is only a reminder that we have to destroy those damned Cocoon fal'Cie. That we have to fine a way to wipe them from the face of the planet!

Fang sneered as she stepped out of the lift, glaring at the crystal that grew in little groups along the rocks. She then looked out ahead at the vast path of white destruction that awaited the party. The dark-haired woman walked ahead of the party, her mood darkening again.

"Wow...that's amazing."

She swung around to see Vanille and Hope kneeled next to a small cluster of crystals. Fang walked over to them, her eyes on the colorful object, her eyes narrowing to slits. "Amazing? Are you kidding me?" She reached back and retrieved her lance, her eyes cold and gloomy. "Move," she said in a dead tone. The teens did as they were told, concern lining their features. The warrior growled at the crystal and took her lance into both her hands, lifting up in a stabbing motion.

Hope blinked, "Fang, what are you-"Vanille put her hand on his shoulder and shook her head. The redhead glanced at her fellow Pulsian, a small frown on her face. "Let's...just go up ahead...with the others okay?" The silver-haired boy looked from one Pulse-born to the other, concern lining his features. "Um, okay..." The two of them walked away as Fang swung down, smashing the crystal into little pieces.

There's nothing amazing about crystal, they don't understand...that if we complete out focus...we'll be just like this crap here. We might as well be dead...

The warrior pulled her lance from the ground and put it up, her eyes on the pile of mangled crystal.

"Cie'th at five o' clock," Sazh called from up ahead.

A fire ignited in the Pulsian as she heard her comrade's words. She almost immediately took hold of her lance and dashed towards the others, her eyes on the Taxim that was advancing. She fired a ruin spell, shattering the creature's club-like arm. Fang then jumped in the air, dodging its feeble attempt at a counterattack. In the same movement she used to shatter the cluster of crystal, she pierced the neck of the monster. She heard voices behind her but they were unintelligible and distant. The warrior continued to hack away at the creature's neck, becoming satisfied when its head was severed.

She jumped away from the Cie'th before it fell and dissipated into nothingness. The dark-haired woman stared at the spot where the creature once was, her facial expression blank.


"Fang?" Lightning caught up to the Pulsian after watching her behead the Taxim. She placed a hand on Fang's shoulder and turned her around. When their eyes locked her hand retracted, a shiver going down her spine. Fang looked at her with eyes that help pure and unadulterated hatred. The soldier had never seen the warrior liked this and honestly it sent a small tremor of fear through her.

Is this why I look so intimidating? Do I look this evil when I around the others?

Fang's eyes were not on Lightning as she spoke. "What Light?"

"You're being reckless!" Lightning growled, her grip tightening on the woman's shoulder. Her teeth clenched together as her cerulean orbs hardened. The Pulsian sighed, shrugging off the other woman's shoulder.

"Just leave me alone okay, I don't want to hear your stupid speech." The warrior walked away, holding her lance in a tight grip.

Lightning watched her as she approached another Cie'th and followed after her, removing her gunblade from its sheath as she caught up. The pink-haired soldier glanced back, catching the eyes of the rest of the party, receiving a nod of understanding from them. She returned the nod before preparing to face the towering Vampire.

The soldier jumped into the air, summoning a barrage of magic spells while Fang attacked relentlessly. The duo dodged the creature's attacks, unleashing merciless counters until the monster was completely destroyed. It went on like this until the sandy path to Oerba was cleared of all hostile entities, leaving nothing but the crystal dust ahead.


"Well, it's still home," Vanille said as a strained smile made its way onto her features. She shifted uncomfortably on her feet, staring at the rest of the group. Fang turned away and suddenly started to run off. The party all stared, their facial expressions full of surprise and confusion. The redhead hesitated; debating is she should follow after the tanned woman.

The younger Pulsian then shot a look towards Lightning that the soldier didn't expect from the smaller woman. As their eyes locked, a silent understanding was communicated between them. The strawberry-blond nodded as she made her decision. I have to go to her...I guess...

The ex-sergeant sighed, and ran her hand through her pink locks. Without hesitation she headed towards the schoolhouse, a deep sensation pulling her towards the location. "I'll be back," she said quietly.

Lightning entered the decaying structure, her gunblade withdrawn and ready for conflict. Her footfalls were light against the wooden floorboards as she advanced into the darkening room. She glanced around, her eyes catching movement in the darkness. She froze and bit her lip as she fell into her battle stance.

"At ease soldier," called a familiar husky voice.

Lightning blinked, "Fang?"

There was the sound of laughter, "Who else would it be." The Pulsian's voice shook and the soldier found herself walking over to the other woman.

The warrior's figure became more visible and Lightning gasped as she saw tears trickle from Fang's eyes. The soldier blinked, "Fang...are you...are you crying?"

Fang turned away, the tears still silently running down her cheeks. "It's nothing..." She wiped the tears from her eyes quickly, her emerald orbs locking themselves on Lightning. "...Just something in my eyes."

Lightning would have normally rolled her eyes at the childish statement but right now was not the time. No...she's hurting.The pink-haired soldier frowned as she thought about how she would be able to comfort the tribeswoman. I'm not good at these things, she grunted mentally. As the strawberry-blond thought, Fang walked up to her and took hold of Lightning's wrist.

What?

"I want to show you something..."

The soldier blinked but let the other woman pull her up a small flight of stairs. The two emerged, now standing on the roof of the schoolhouse. The warrior released her grip on the soldier and settled on one of the benches. Her eyes were on the small garden that refused to let time nor circumstance take away its beauty. "I'm surprised they're still alive," the raven-haired woman said quietly. By this time Lightning had set down next to her, also looking at the garden.

"The flowers are beautiful," Lightning muttered.

A small smile found its way onto Fang's features. "Yeah...they are huh? I remember helping Vanille plant things here when we were kids." The warrior looked down, her shoulders dropping. "Every thing here used to be filled with color...there were flowers everywhere..."

Lightning stared at the woman as her form became silhouette as the sun set in the sky. She frowned again because she had never seen Fang in such a vulnerable state before and it left her perplexed. I don't know what to say... Words didn't seem like they would be useful in this situation and Lightning only knew that her best form of communication was through her actions. She took Fang's hand and azure orbs lock with emerald. "Fang..."

Fresh tears started to gather in Fang's eyes as they looked at each other. Suddenly the warrior laughed and wiped them away before they had a chanced to escape her eyelids. "Look at me," she chuckled sadly. "I look like a big baby! I should have expected to see the village like this..."

"Fang," Lightning repeated, her voice a bit more stern.

"What?"

"It's okay to be sad..."

Fang frowned and opened her mouth to retort when Lightning put a finger over lips and replaced with her own. "Just...shut up," she murmured. Fang pulled back and smiled, "You're really not good with people are you?"

The ex-sergeant sighed and ran a hand through her strawberry locks. "Sorry..."

"Sorry?" Fang's smiled widened as she leaned closer to Lightning. "I would have never though that word would leave your mouth...but...there's no reason for you to apologize. I feel better now...thank you..."

Lightning laughed, "I would have never thought that I would hear you say that."

"I guess we're both full of suprises huh?" Fang took Lightning into her arms, hugging her tight.

Lightning nodded as she returned the embrace. Yeah...I guess so...

The pair looked up at the star speckled sky, their minds on each other and the days ahead.


So Many computer issues! My comp is dead! *cries* I'm sorry for such a bad update but I had some other issues get in my way lol! Please forgive me and I'll try to update some time soon okay?

-NEKO