This chapter will be set in Eden, so I am going along the lines of canon lol. I did want to make this the final chapter but when I thought about how I wanted to go, I thought it would be best to break it into two. Also the fact that I wrote it out first and noticed that I had five pages written (front and back) and I was not even a third of the way through XD Ah yes, I have to write out the story so that the typing process can go faster seeing as my compy is dead and I won't be getting another any time soon. Ah, just like the good ol' days of fanfiction when I could only type at school and on the shared computer…sucks!

Anyway back to the story! I would like to let you guys know that I'm going to have some flashbacks, so don't be alarmed by the random italicized sections okay?^^ Well…they aren't really random though XD

So now sit back and enjoy the chapter~!

The Garden of Eden

"Odin!"

Lightning flipped and whirled in mid-air as she called for her summon. Beneath her Odin transformed into a horse, launching itself in the air so that she could land safely upon it. With another flip she was on the steed, holding the large double-bladed sword. PSICOM soldiers scurried to block her path, all of their weapons pointed at her. She scoffed as a red beam from a sniper weapon was pointed at her chest. The soldier shook her head before charging forward, her azure eyes cold like ice.

Just another target…

Her blades sliced through the soldiers like butter, covering the double-edged sword in a vibrant liquid red. Lightning flinched slightly as blood splattered on her cheek. It was then that she stopped, quickly dismissing Odin. She stared forward, her eyes seeing nothing but her destination. As she stood there PSICOM soldiers surrounded her. The ex-sergeant sighed, placing her hand on the hilt of her blazefire saber. She closed her eyes as that same hand gave the handle a tight squeeze.

-LINE-

As the six of them jumped from the airship they all called upon their summons, splitting up. Fang passed Lightning as the wild woman attacked from Bahamut. The tanned woman gave Lightning a salute.

"See you at the meeting spot, she said simply before diving down into the battle.

The pink-haired soldier could have sworn she heard her say something about causing a blood bath. The soldier felt her body tense at the word.

Lightning withdrew her gunblade as she dodged the first wave of bullets. Her eyes quickly scanned the area before she planned to attack. There were about twenty PSICOM and that seemed to be too many to ignore. She gritted her teeth; more lives were about to be cut short again. As much as it bothered her to kill them, she had a mission and that mission would save many more than would die by her hand today. As sad as it was, it was either Cocoon or the soldiers…and she was choosing Cocoon.

After defeating Barthandelus for the second time the fal'Cie were left to stand with conflicted emotions flowing through them. Sazh broke the silence with a comic remark. "Well looks like it's Cocoon or bust huh?"

Hope frowned, "but what will we do when we get there? Are we really going to destroy Cocoon?"

Snow stepped forward and turned to face them, pumping his fist in the air. "It's the same as before! We're going to save Cocoon and fine a way to free Serah."

Lightning walked up and stood next to him, nodding once. She then turned to the others her eyes filled with determination. "Let's get going."

"Right," Fang said. "Whatever we're going up there to do we better get a move one yah? Time is ticking."

The rest of the group nodded and started boarding the airship.

Lightning opened her eyes at the same time the soldier tried to fire again. With the grace of a deadly feline, she dodged every attack, countering with a deadly blow. As her dark dance ensued, her blade accompanied her with each step leaving the steel glistening with a vibrant red. When it was all said and done, only one PSICOM soldier stood. The soldier stood there, his body frozen with shock as he watched his comrades fall.

Behind his helmet his eyes widened with a mix or rage and grief, causing his body to tremble violently. He threw his gun to the side and pulled a knife from a strap on his ankle. "D-damn you fal'Cie!" Without another word he launched himself at Lightning. As soon as his feet left the ground Lightning's Blazefire switched to its gun form and she pointed it at the soldier. Without even glancing in his direction she fired, the shots echoing. Lightning's arm then fell limply to her side as she heard the dull thump of the soldier's body colliding with the ground.

A target is a target…

It's either them or Cocoon.

Remember what's important.

Sacrifices have to be made…

Come and get it boys! Yeah like trying to surround us is gonna work. Mama Fang's got some tricks that'll blow your mind!

After helping Vanille get out of some tough spots earlier, the two of them headed to their rendezvous point. Now the two Pulsians were surrounded by PSICOM fighters that had every gun pointed in their direction. The redhead held her fishing rod close to her chest as she moved closer to Fang.

"So," the smaller woman whispered. "What strategy do you have for this one Fang?"

The dark-haired woman smiled "The same as always; fight like hell, use magic and get out of this shit alive!"

Vanille rolled her eyes, "Oh Fang, that's getting old you know…"

The warrior cocked an eyebrow, "You got a better idea?"

"Yeah I was thinking about using the spell…"

"The death spell?" Fang glanced back, "You know that takes forever to charge…and more important, it drains you!"

Vanille looked down, "I know, but that's where you come in."

Fang sighed, "Okay…fine, just don't go killing yourself now."

"Got it," the redhead said as she glanced at the soldiers.

Fang turned her attention to the PSICOM soldiers that surrounded the two of them. A sinister smile crept onto her face and her emerald orbs darkened with bloodlust. Behind her, Vanille put away her fishing rod and begun to chant, her jade orbs darkening to a plaque-like black. Also, as her eye darkened, a black aura began to surround her.

Fang almost instantly felt the air become cold with death as she began to attack.

"So you've been practicing a new spell Vanille," Hope asked.

It had been another one of those group practices where everyone would come together to spar and share a new spell. This had become routine since they started their journey in Gran Pulse. Fang usually focused on sparring seeing as her magic skills were below par when compared to the others. Surprisingly she chose to observe the magic part of today's practice. She was interested in Vanille's new spell, seeing as the girl seemed to be a very powerful mage.

Fang settled herself on a rock not too far from her adopted sister, eager to see this "death" spell. "Come on Vanille! Show us that spell!"

The redhead blinked and then smiled at the older Pulsian. "Ah-Okay…but I don't know how it will perform. I've only been able to summon it to a small extent."

"Give it a shot," Lightning said silently as she leaned on a rock not too far from Fang. The soldier nodded at Vanille, letting the girl know that she held her full attention.

The re-haired Pulsian took a deep breath and closed her eyes. "Alright…" A dark aura surrounded her as she began to chant.

Fang shivered as if a blizzard spell was being cast, but it was multiplied tenfold. The dark-haired woman looked around her noticing that she wasn't the only one shivering violently. She knew that the spell was bad news when she caught sight of Snow trembling. His name is Snow for the Gods sakes!

Fang's eyes snapped back to the redhead and she gasped. Vanille's eyes were open but they were so black that it was as if death was taking claim over her. The raven-haired woman opened her mouth to say something but it was already too late, the spell activated.

At first, Fang felt a wave of energy push her from the rock and onto the ground. She fell to the ground with and thud and soon after, everything went black. It was if hands were clutching at her lungs, slowly crushing them and forcing the air out of her. She tried to regain the lost oxygen but her body seemed as if it ceased to function.

Then suddenly her body began to work again but she would come to regret that it did. An immense pain ricocheted through her body, causing her to scream in agony. She clutched at her ribs as the horrible burning sensation struck every nerve. The pain was so bad that she could hear her own screams over the ringing in her ears.

Just kill me now!

I just want the pain to stop!

Gods! Just end this torture!

Please!

As suddenly as the assault on her body came it disappeared, leaving the woman in a crumpled mess on the ground. Fang's sight returned as she remembered how to breathe and her body started to respond normally again. The warrior sat up quickly and touched her face and stomach to make sure that she had not been mangled or burned. She looked around with wide eyes and noticed that everyone was doing the same, except Vanille of course.

Once the warrior was positive that she wasn't dead she ran over to Vanille, who had fallen to her knees. Fang gasped as she took in the horrid state that Vanille was in. She felt herself panic, her heart beat quickening.

Vanille's skin was a translucent white and her green eye seemed dark and void. The girl looked as if she was a dead herself! Fang placed a trembling hand on the redhead's shoulder. "Vanille…are you okay…what…what the hell?"

Vanille laughed, her voice broken and shrill. "I should…be asking…you the same question…"

The younger Pulsian glanced at her recovering comrades, watching as they all stared at her with fear-stricken facial expressions. She then looked back at Fang, her mouth curving into a frown. "I couldn't control the spell…and even though it was only for a moment…I could have killed everyone."

She looked at Fang with dread in her green orbs. "I didn't know how powerful the spell was! I had no idea what it could do! I'm so sorry!" The raven-haired woman watched as tears began to form in the girl's eyes as she looked at the others again. "I'm…so sorry…"

Fang knelt down and wrapped her arms around the red-haired girl as the girl repeated her apology through chocked sobs. The warrior bit her lip as she remembered the pain that she felt when she was within the spell's gasp.

My god…she said that she only lost control for a moment! If that was just a moment then she could killed us all if she completely lost it! Who knew that she was this powerful? That was scary…

Fang, now a great distance away from Vanille, watched as the remaining soldiers were engulfed in the black nothingness of death. She almost cringed as she watched the men scream and clutch at the air until their bodies fell limp. Fang stare at the sight before her, unsurprised by the grim outcome.

Vanille closed her eyes and they returned back to normal once she opened them again, yet they still held a degree of darkness. The redhead didn't even glance at any of the bodies as she stepped over them.

She smiled faintly at Fang, "Well…let's get going, we have to meet up with the others right?"

Fang nodded, "Yeah…I think Light isn't too far from here, I saw her when I got off of Bahamut."

"Okay," Vanille said cheerfully, seeming as if she was back to her old self. "She might need some help!"

The two of them smiled before taking off towards downtown Eden.

Another unit of PSICOM soldiers spotted Lightning as she made her way to the downtown shopping district and she now had her hands full with a couple of their hounds. One of the hounds jumped on her, knocking her to the ground. The soldier grunted as the hound attempted to bite at her but missed. Lightning quickly switched her blade to its gun form and fired off a round of bullets into the creature's neck, killing it. As soon as she was able to push the hound off herself a gun was aimed at her head. Before the PSICOM soldier could fire a blade punctured through his chest. Lightning immediately recognized the blade as a familiar voice called out.

"You were right Vanille, Light did need some help!"

That same soldier fell lifelessly to reveal that Fang and Vanille were standing at the ready. By the time Lightning had gotten to her feet, Vanille had already started firing off magic spells. The strawberry-blond noticed Vanille's paleness, assuming that the redhead had performed a death spell recently. Lightning cringed inwardly at the thought, an uneasiness creeping over her. The ex-sergeant shook it off quickly and started to attack.

Fang also did not waste any time as she charged at the PSICOM soldiers, stabbing and slashing. The warrior gracefully attacked, taking down foe after foe with unheard of ease. One obnoxious soldier tried to stab Fang with knife, only to be rewarded with a missing hand. The tribeswoman watched as the man crumpled to the ground, holding the bleeding stump as he cried out in agony. The dark-haired woman simply shook her head before finishing him off with a final plunge into his flesh. When she was sure that the soldier was dead, she ripped her lance from him. Fang turned around just in time to watch Vanille's fire spell turn the last of the soldiers into piles of ash.

Vanille looked around and smiled, "Well looks like that's it huh?" "

Fang nodded as she put her lance back in its holder. "Yeah…that's it."

Lightning stared at the ground, tightening her hold on her gunblade. Her teeth clenched for a moment before she looked up at the two Pulsians. The soldier's face was stoic and her eyes were like orbs of ice.

"We should hurry before anymore soldiers come."

Fang and Vanille nodded, a little taken aback by the edge in Lightning's voice.

"We can get there faster on Bahamut and we can avoid PSICOM too," Fang suggested.

The pink-haired nodded and not too long after, the three of them were upon Bahamut's back.

"AHHHHH!"

Fang blinked as Bahamut began to descend. "What the hell was that?"

"Someone screaming obviously," Lightning muttered coolly.

Fang shot her an "okay smart ass" look before commanding her summon to dive. "Well the others should be close then…"

The scream sounded again, causing Vanille's eyes to widen. "Is that?"

The realization dawned upon the three women as the sound tore through the air once more.

"Hope," Lightning said simply.

Sure enough, they were right. Fang caught sight of the boy and the rest of the party, but things looked as if they were getting out of hand.

Hope was suspended in the air, his arms shielding his chest and his knees pulled up in a defensive position. His eyes were a glowing white, like the aura of unstable energy that surrounded him. From above, Bahamut had to dodge numerous spells so that it could land Fang and the others safely.

As soon as the trio landed the warrior dismissed her summon and ran over to the wide-eyed Sazh. She looked at the startled man, "What the hell is going on?"

Sazh glanced at her and then the group of soldiers who were new victims of a lightning spell. "One of the PSICOM soldiers tried to shoot at Snow…but they missed."

"It's a defense," Vanille chimed in. "When either of us gets seriously injured we have a….magical overload."

The older Pulsian blinked, "How…why?"

The redhead glanced at Hope, "We aren't very strong like you guys but you need our magic…so it was to keep us alive."

Snow walked up to them, his eyes flashing to Hope also, "How are we going to get him to stop? Most of the soldiers are ashes now…"

As if on cue a Fire spell was launched at the fleeing soldiers, leaving Snow wondering if he should correct his statement.

Vanille frowned, "He'll stop when they're all dead."

Sazh scratched the back of his head, "Won't be long then, will it?"

Lightning watched, making sure that she wasn't within Hope's range of fire. She leant up against a crumbling column, her emotionless face betraying her inner thoughts.

Is he okay, she thought as worry twisted her features for a moment. They said he got shot…damn it Snow! He should have been watching what he was doing rather than trying to play the hero! Argh! That oaf! Her hands balled into fists and she gritted her teeth. Ah, calm down Lightning, Hope's okay…nothing to worry about.

She pushed herself off of the wall and jogged over to Hope, just in time to catch him before he fell to the ground. Lightning set him down as the group surrounded the boy and Vanille started to tend to his wound. The redhead lifted up the teen's shirt to see that he had received a stomach wound. She frowned at this, glancing at the unconscious boy's face.

By this time Lightning had kneeled down next to Hope and started to search through her red pouch. When she finally found what she was looking for she pulled it out, revealing a pair of silver tweezers.

Fang eyed her as she passed the item to Vanille and a smile found its way onto her face. "Ah, pretty handy huh Light? No wonder your eyebrows are so well-kempt."

Lightning stood and glared, "This is neither the time…nor the place Fang. And they were a part of my first-aid kit…"

The tribeswoman chuckled, "I know, I know…I was just kidding around."

"Do you really think this is the time to be kidding around, "Lightning hissed. Acid dripped from her words as they left her mouth, which caused Fang to become slightly hostile.

"I'm just tryin' to lighten the mood Light, give me a break will ya?"

"Give you a break? If you haven't noticed, we're being hunted by PSICOM and Hope is hurt!"

Fang narrowed her eyes, "You think I don't know that? Are you trying to say I don't care! Light, I'm fucking frustrated right now! Everyone is! I'm just trying to help; we all need to lighten the mood seeing as we're stuck in this shit!"

Lightning's body tensed and she looked down, her bangs casting a dark shadow over her eyes. "The only way you can help is by shutting your damn mouth…"

Fang's body trembled with anger as the words registered but she didn't say a word, instead she closed her eyes. At the same time her hands were forming into dangerous fists.

"Hey" Snow said as he stood in-between the two women, his hands up in a neutral fashion. "Guys, you need to calm down! We need to find somewhere to stay the night so that Hope can heal, okay?"

Fang glanced at the blond and then at Hope, "yeah…"

Snow then turned his blue orbs on Lightning, who had her hands folded across her chest. "Light?"

The strawberry-blond made contact with Snow before her gaze fell upon Hope. "Fine…whatever…"

The towering man let his hands fall to his sides and shook his head as a sigh left him. "Alright, let's get out of here before some more PSICOM fins us."

"We should be safe here for the night," Lightning said as she entered the deserted house.

Hope walked in, accompanied by Vanille. The two of them looked around for a place for the silver-haired teen to lie down. The soldier stared at the two teens for a moment before walking down the hall, taking refuge in the furthest room. She ignored the murmurs and idle chatter from the others as she settled herself on the bed. The pink-haired woman then kicked off her boots, revealing a dark bruise on her lower calf. She cursed as it became noticeable from the light that spilled from the hallway.

"You okay Light?"

Lightning looked up to find Fang leaning against the doorway, her emerald orbs glowing in the semi-darkness of the room.

"I'm fine," Lightning said quickly, glancing at the bruise. "It's nothing…"

Fang sighed and walked into the room, closing the door behind her. Lightning blinked as her eyes adjusted to the darkness, their only light was the city lights that streamed through the widows. The raven-haired woman took a seat next to Lightning, her eye flickering to her leg. It seemed as if the lack of light didn't affect her vision, seeing as she was able to zero in on the bruised leg. The Pulsian looked closer and noticed that the bruise seemed to be accompanied by others, including small cuts.

She reached over, her own arm covered in scratches and bruises. "Let me see…"

Lightning made a face but didn't object as Fang touched the tender flesh, earning a subtle flinch from the soldier.

A mocking smile found its way onto the warrior's face as she looked up. "Does it hurt?"

Lightning turned away quickly, trying to hide the color that crept onto her cheeks. "No."

Fang chuckled, "Ah…stubborn as ever yah?"

The pink-haired woman growled and turned back to face Fang. "Okay it hurt…a little." Soldiers don't feel pain. "Are you happy now?"

The tanned woman's smile fell as she locked eye with Lightning. "Look, I just wanted to say sorry…about earlier."

Lightning looked away again, "I…Fang…It wasn't you fault. I was just…"

"On edge?"

The ex-sergeant nodded, "Today…just wasn't my day. What I mean is that killing other soldiers…doesn't sit right with me."

The raven-haired woman looked down, "yeah, I understand."

The two women were silent for a while before a sigh left Fang's mouth. Lightning looked at her, with a perplexed expression. The Pulsian looked up at Lightning again before taking her hand.

Lightning blinked, "Fang?"

"Do you have any regrets?"

"Huh," Lightning blinked again.

Fang locked eyes with the pink-haired woman, emerald meeting azure. "What I mean is…do you have any regrets about us?"

"Why are you asking-"

"Because Light, tomorrow isn't promised…and I-I want to…no….I have to know."

Lightning looked down at their interlocked hands and then back at Fang. "Why…why would I?"

Fang tightened her hold on the other woman's hand. The Pulsian's eyes were filled with a mix of seriousness and slight worry.

Lightning seemed to have been taken aback by this sudden surge of emotion that came from the usually composed and cocky warrior. Fang closed her eyes and tried to calm down her trembling body. "I just wanted to tell you because…this may be the last time that I can be with you."

Lightning's breath hitched in her throat as Fang opened her eyes again, locking them with the soldier's. They looked into each other's eyes as their hearts began to beat as one. The tanned woman lifted her hand up to Lightning's cheek, caressing it softly. The soldier leaned into the touch, her eyelids fluttering for a moment. For that instant they were the only two in the entire world.

Fang leaned closer to Lightning, their faces inches apart. "Light…I just...I just don't want to lose you."

The soldier stared at the Pulsian, her eyes drifting from the woman's emerald orbs to her full lips. The two of them were so close now that they could feel each others' warm breath.

"Light…I-" Fang started before Lightning closed the distance between them. Their lips pressed gently against each other as unspoken words were expressed. The pink-haired woman pushed away, her cheeks tented a rosy red. She moved a few stray strands of raven from Fang's eyes before planting another kiss on the woman's lips.

"Fang…I love you," the soldier said quietly as she caressed Fang's cheek. "No matter what happens tomorrow or the day after, I…will always feel the same. Got it?"

A small smile graced the Pulsian's features, "Got it…"

We have no regrets

Fang leaned closer, pulling the soldier into a kiss. As they kissed, Lightning snaked her hands around Fang's neck. Their lips parted as their tongues intertwined, dancing and exploring. They continued until the two of them were in dire need of oxygen. With one quick glance the battle for dominance ensued, the kiss now charged with even more passion than before.

There's no need

Lightning's hands started to travel down Fang's back, finding her waist and pulling her closer. Fang broke the kiss and moved her lips over to the soldier's neck, sucking on it softly. As her teeth grazed the sensitive skin, a whimper left Lightning against her will. The tanned woman began to kiss lower, unzipping the collar of Lightning's sweater as she did so. She pulled down the zipper until the beginning of her l'Cie mark became visible. The two of them paused, their eyes meeting a moment before Fang ran her hands over the mark. She heard the pink-haired woman's breathing speed up as she replaced her fingers with her lips.

"Light…"

Lightning stared at Fang with an unreadable expression as ran her hands through Fang's hair. "Claire…"

Fang blinked as she pulled her lips away from Lightning's sweet skin. "Claire…"

A faint smile found its way onto the ex-sergeant's face, "That's my real name…I wanted you to know it…"

The warrior smiled back and touched the soldier's cheek, stroking it tenderly. "I like it, though it is a little girly…seeing as you're this tough soldier girl."

Lightning lifted an eyebrow, "Well everyone doesn't have an inanimate object for a name."

The warrior chuckled, her eyes still glowing softly in the semi-darkness.

Because we have each other

Fang's hand fell to Lightning's chin as she pulled her into yet another kiss, her hands busy with undoing the clasps on the soldier's jacket. Lightning's hands found Fang's and she helped speed up the process, throwing the white jacket haphazardly onto the floor. As the kiss deepened the two women groped and reached, giving the discarded jacket plenty of company.

Fang's hands sent chill through the soldier's body, causing her to tremble with a mix of excitement and pleasure. She wanted to return the favor, nibbling and licking the Pulsian's earlobe, smiling inwardly as she heard Fang shutter. The two women's dominating instinct took over as the situation began to heat up. Though the two of them were warring, sweet nothings were breath between ach kiss and touch.

The duo fell back on the bed, Lightning positioned above Fang. They parted as their remaining clothing began to become a bothersome barrier. A small growl erupted from Fang as they rolled onto the floor, Fang now on top. Fang kissed the slightly surprised Lightning, biting down on the woman's lip. The pink-haired soldier hissed, sending the wild woman a warning. The tanned woman smiled and kissed the lip apologetically.

"Sorry…"

The strawberry-blond smiled, wrapping her arms around Fang's neck. She looked at Fang for a moment, causing a Fang's lips to curve into a soft smile.

"You know you're beautiful right?"

A red flush crept onto Lighting's cheeks as Fang ran her hands through Lightning's hair, caressing the tresses. The tribes woman laughed, her emerald orbs swirling with sincere emotions.

"I love you so much…Light-I mean…Claire"

Lightning's blush deepened at the sound of her real name but she smiled again, her eyes a mirror of Fang's. "I love you too Fang…"

We don't have to brave it alone…

Hurr…hurr *clears throat* Eh…um sorry for taking so long to update guys. I had been fooling around on the comp lol, I could have been done with this DAYS ago by something called *cough Vocaloid* got in my way.

Ah, I hope you guys are ready for the final installment of Lightning Strikes

Until next time guys~ Ja matta!

-NEKO