Cloud sighed, "Dammit. I can't find him." Or my bike. What the hell? Why'd he take my bike? What about Lightning's Camaro. Okay not even he's that dumb. What if he destroys it? Last time I checked it was Ignis that drove them around everywhere, not him. If he destroys my bike I might just hit him on principle. Cloud smiled to himself. Tifa's jeep was alright but it wasn't the same. Cloud sighed, "Oh well, beggars can't be choosers and I doubt that Lightning would have let me use her Camaro. Nobody gets to use that Camaro." It's a nice ride though. He laughed to himself, "Nice. Now I'm thinking about jacking somebody's ride. Except that one will get me destroyed. Not killed, destroyed."

Noctis liked the motorcycle. It was quieter than some of the other ones he saw and a lot more aerodynamic. Thanks Cloud. You're probably coming to get it back but I like it too much. Well now that I've figured out how it works. He smirked, "See I'm not completely helpless." Noctis felt more sad than he did when he was sitting in his room by himself. At least then I could hear them moving around, talking to each other. Now I don't hear anything but the wind in my ears and the other cars. He shook his head, "This is better. I don't have to deal with them and they don't have to deal with me." I should probably get gas. Ugh, alright. He pulled into a gas station.

"My bike," Cloud noticed it in the parking lot of a 7Eleven. He pulled into the parking lot and waited in Tifa's jeep. I can't go back without him. I told them I'd bring him back and that's what I intend to do. Lightning can probably talk some sense into this guy. He waited for a few moments, "God, who knew waiting here could be so tedious. Oh well." He has the keys to the thing anyway. Bastard. I wish he hadn't run off. What if something happens to them while we're gone? An image of Tifa lying on the ground dead entered his mind. Cloud shook his head, "They'll be fine. Tifa can take care of herself. They can take care of themselves and each other."

Noctis walked out and saw Tifa's jeep sitting in the parking lot, "Uh-oh. Damn. I didn't know he was this close." He made it to the bike and started it up. It had been a few weeks since he had left. He paused. Maybe I can just tell him to tell the others that I'm not coming back and to apologize to Ignis, Prompto, and Gladiolus for me. And to thank Lightning for not giving up but apologize to her because I have. No, I guess it's better that they just get time to forget me. They will. I didn't really mean much to most of them. He pulled out.

Cloud watched him drive away, "Damn, I don't think anybody could look sadder than he just did. He's so broken." He growled, "I'm not giving up on you. I promised myself I wouldn't and if that means cracking your skull open then that's what it means." He followed him. Even if you don't want help, you need it. Lightning and I understand. We've both been through similar things. Not the same but similar enough to understand. The sun was starting to set, "It reminds me of Stella," Cloud smiled sadly, "She was so optimistic and she spent her time with him. She always had high hopes for all of us. She wanted us to become friends and work together. That was what she wanted. He can't see that right now, but he will. Light and I and all of the others will help him every step of the way. Whether he wants that help is up to him but he needs it. I'm not about to sit here and let him rot away in his hole. My friends didn't give up on me and I won't give up on my friends, not my old ones and not my new ones. Not even pretty boy, even though he stole my bike."

That's the spirit, Cloud. Stella smiled. I knew I could count on you guys to help him through. Thanks so much. I hate it when people are sad. I watched him go through this with his mother. I watched from a distance and I swore I'd never do it again. I wanted to help him but he can't hear me. He doesn't have the same connection to the dead that you and Lightning do. I want you to take him back to them. He needs Lightning, no matter how much he refuses to admit it.

Cloud nodded, "No problem." His face hardened into a determined glare. I'm taking you back Noct. I'm going to help you, whether you want me to or not.

Noctis glanced over his shoulder, "He's still freaking following me! It's been two days." Why doesn't he just give up? I don't get it. Whatever. I don't care anymore. He turned back to the rode and slipped into a different lane. He pulled into another gas station. I've been living off chips and soda for weeks now, like three. Huh, wow. He froze. Lightning?

The missile flew towards Hope's exposed back. Lightning put herself between it and him and sliced through it with her gunblade. It exploded the moment the blade tore its shell. The explosion curled around her but Hope was unaffected.

"Lightning!" Hope screamed. A look of horror and pain crossed his face. He darted over to her.

"Hope, you're alright," she whispered. She smiled, "Good, stay alive. Be their hope, their guiding light."

"Lightning! Don't say that!" Hope started to cry, "You can't die! I won't let you!"

Lightning closed her eyes. She paled and the smiled disappeared. A glow surrounded her body and slowly faded away.

Noctis shook his head. He was sitting on Cloud's bike, "Lightning. No." his voice hardened, "I won't let you." He glanced over his shoulder.

Cloud was right there.

"Alright pretty boy," Noctis smirked, "Who's up for a little game of chase?" he raised his voice, "Hey! Pretty Boy!"

Cloud looked at him, "What?"

Noctis nodded, "You coming or are you just gonna break every promise you've made? What do you think they'll think of you then?"

"I'd forgotten why I wanted to leave him behind and just grab the bike and go," Cloud muttered. "I don't know. What will they think of me?"

Noctis pulled out of the parking lot. He looked over his shoulder. Good he's still watching me. He scraped the bike against the curb.

Cloud's face hardened into a glare.

Noctis picked up speed, going back the way they had come. What if I'm too late? I'm so stupid. Why'd I leave in the first place? Lightning hold on. Please don't die. I'm coming back. We're coming back to help you. He hung his head.

Cloud followed him, "He's turned around. Alright, he's paying for that scrape though." He followed him, "I was not aware of how much someone damaging my bike pissed me off until he did it. Wow." He shook his head in amusement. What would make him turn around though? Sickening feeling of dread settled in his stomach. He swallowed nervously. Uh-oh. Maybe something went wrong.