Hello all! This may seem a tad ahead of schedule. Well...it kind of is. But I want to get back on track and I'll still be ahead by about three of four chapters, so I figured, why not? As always, I'm hoping you're enjoying it. After all, it makes me heart swell knowing someone is reading and enjoying and well, I'm being a little talkative aren't I? Just a forewarning though, in a few weeks I will be in the process of moving my current bedroom to the nicer, bigger one in my home (the glories of being the eldest, responsible child). However, I may not be able to access for several days. I do not know when this is all definitely taking place, but hopefully I will be able to give you all proper waring.

As always, reviews sometime after school and thank you for reading so far. Oh, and Crystal Hearts (see profile) and I have a few more possible entries! *excitement*

Anyway, on to the chapter! I'm really excited for this one actually. :D

Hope was now, for lack of a better word, a bundle of nerves as he waited for the inevitable strike from Saorise. And this, he knew, would lead to a confrontation he was more than certain he was not ready for. Not in the slightest. If he were to face Saorise now, there was no telling what would happen. The voices he had heard only yesterday when he had touched the book still haunted him, and he had no idea what to make of it. He wasn't even concentrating on the part that very likely concerned him, the word vessel being so heavily burned in his mind.

"Nothing." She said the word over and over. But what did she mean? Nothing. Nothing. What's so great about it? Hope shook his head and rolled over on his bed, burying his face into his pillow as he tried to sort through his jumbled thoughts. Look at me, trying to understand a mad woman. Like such a thing is even possible. I never really got why-why she did everything she did. And now-now I'm more uncertain than ever. Hope grasped his right arm, eyes scrunching up.

Why? Why?

But Hope did not let the memories come to him, instead locking them away into the deepest confines in his mind. He wasn't ready to learn from those memories yet. The pain was still so fresh, no matter the short years that had passed. It seared him as the flames had, licked at his skin, and he could not shake the empty eyes that stared at him. It was all his to behold, all a burden for him, for Saorise had thrown it at him with careless and sick abandon. She had the problem too, of knowing all the things she had done, and if Hope wasn't mistaken, Saorise had done a lot of terrible things before he had ever met. Seen a lot of terrible things. Yet she was able to shoulder the weight as if it was nothing, or worse yet, with a smile and laugh. It frightened Hope and made her impossible to understand. To be honest, a part of him wanted to stay in the dark, even when it came to why she tortured him. Understanding why might mean that he was starting to become her, and Hope felt his stomach lurch at the very thought.

How does someone even get that way?

He knew the answer was not buried in his pillow and crushing his face into it was doing little else than nearly suffocate him. Hope sighed before rolling over and looking at his ceiling with a dazed expression. His thoughts were quickly shifting in a different direction, but it was the same circle he had been leading himself on since Amodar and Crawford had explained everything. First he would think of Saorise and his impending confrontation. Then the thoughts would turn to worry about what those damn voices meant, only to go into worry about what would become of Snow and Lightning and everyone else that would cross Saorise's path. Then there was just Lightning...

Hope had no idea where stood with Lightning anymore. It was one thing to be ignored for peeping at her, then ignoring him for something he did that eh just didn't understand., only to ignore him after offering him comfort. Kind of. Or was it? I mean, maybe she was just being supportive. Hope groaned and slapped his forehead, wanting to kick his legs in frustration. What the hell did I do? I just don't get it? Was it because I was being loud when I was babysitting Hazel? But that was hardly my fault! And why would she ignore over something like that? I just don't-

A knock at his door forced Hope to pause his thoughts. Hope rolled his eyes and stood, heading for the door and mumbling a weary, "Just a second." Hope opened the door and blinked, staring at Lightning with a bemused expression. Hope choked and his eyes widened as it sunk in that Lightning was standing at his door. Hope's mind went blank as he struggled for something, anything, to say, "Um-Uh-Hey Light." Hope cringed. Oh yeah, real smooth Estheim. Real, real smooth.

"Hello." Lightning said. Her body was rather stiff and she avoided looking Hope in the eye, and he felt his heart sink. If he knew what he had done wrong, he'd fix it. At least he'd have one weight off his mind. Instead he was left awkward and fumbling in front of the woman he lo-

"Hope." Lightning said, snapping her fingers in front of her face. She rolled her eyes and Hope smiled at her, looking toward the floor.

"Sorry." He mumbled, not quite sure what to say. He wished this awkwardness between them would go away already. He wanted to be able look Lightning in the eyes without feeling like he had done something wrong.

"Don't be." He heard Lightning sigh. He looked up slightly and watched as she crossed her arms, "If anyone is sorry, it's me." Hope snapped his head up and tilted it to the side.

"What? Why are you sorry, I thought-"

"No." Lightning snapped. She shook her head and her tone softened, "You're not the one that did anything wrong. Not this time. I've been thinking too much over the past few days and it interfered with my rational thoughts. I didn't mean to ignore you." Lightning said, her shoulders relaxing slightly. She finally looked Hope in the eye and Hope tried to smile at her, still a little confused.

"But...what were you thinking about that would-well-make you ignore me?" Hope asked, eyes moving skittishly from her eyes to the wall behind her. "I mean, I just, I don't know." Hope stuttered, taking a step back, "You don't have to answer. I was just-you know, was wondering." Hope fingered his doorknob, sighing slightly as he slowly started to close the door. Lightning's hand shot out and stopped the door in its tracks and she stepped inside his room.

"No. Don't worry about asking Hope, you have every right to." Hope glanced up at Lightning, surprised to see her...nervous? She kept glancing at the door and he could have sworn he saw a blush on her cheeks. It fell silent between them, neither knowing what to say or where to even start, and before they knew it they were just staring at each other. Hope could have sworn he saw the faint bit of pink on Lightning's cheeks darken and his heart started to pound. He swallowed, rubbing the doorknob as he tried to figure out just why she was blushing, even as his heart hammered away. His head was jammed, barely a coherent thought there as his mind went into overdrive. He felt his own cheeks flare up and snapped his eyes down at his feet, not knowing what to do.

"I-" Lightning said, swallowing herself, "I've had a lot on my mind lately. Been tired and all with the drills we've been doing with the mana drives. And I-I had a weird dream..." If it were any other situation, Hope would have smiled. He had never heard Lightning stutter so much before. It was strange. But all he could think of was how fast his heart was pounding and how close Lightning was. What dream? What does that have to do with anything-

Hope swallowed again and finally chanced a look at Lightning, jumping slightly as he stared into her blue eyes. He blinked, coherent thought vanishing completely from his mind as he lost himself in her beautifully blue eyes. The long lashes, the way her hair framed her face. He wanted to touch her cheek, maybe ask her what she was hiding behind those eyes. Hope was barely aware of his shallow breathing, far too lost in Lightning and those darn eyes.

Lightning stared back at him, peering into Hope's green orbs, watching as they seemed to haze over. Her hand twitched and she moved a little closer, her heart trying to jump from her chest. There was the slightest shake in her hands as she reached for Hope and she ghosted her fingers over his arm. "I'm sorry." She said, her eyes never leaving his, "I'm still thinking about it, the dream, but that doesn't mean...I can't talk to you."

"N-No problem Light." Hope shuddered as Lightning gave his arm a squeeze. His whole body felt like it was on fire and he found himself leaning down. Lightning's face was so close to his...he could a stray lash on her cheek. His finger rose to swipe it away-

CRASH!

They both jumped and stepped away from each other, looking down toward the stairs as Snow started to shout sorry over and over again. Lightning and Hope glanced at each other, Hope managing an uneasy smile and Lightning give him a roll of the eyes. The moment between them was broken but Hope still felt how her touch had burned his arm, how close they had been.

That was close Estheim. Way too close. You almost-almost ruined something.

Right?

Right.

But then...

"I wonder what Snow broke? It sounded like something important." Hope said, trying to hide his nerves and how awkward he felt. His cheeks were still red, but Lightning seemed to be merciful, taking no mind to them.

"Something in the kitchen. Least that's what it sounded like." Hazel's shouts soon came up the stairs, as well as Serah as her voice boomed over the chaos. Hope found himself chuckling even as his hands shook with what almost happened, and again he wondered why he lost control like that. Or nearly lost control more like.

"Guess I need to run damage control." Lightning muttered, glancing at Hope. The pink in her cheeks was still present, but it was starting to fade, and Hope felt some of the tension release. But at the same time, there was a bit of disappointment as well. "Hope." Lightning said, Hope's eyes returning to her, "When I-I'm done thinking this over, I may need to talk to you all right?"

Hope's heart jumped and he let out a small, barely audible gasp. Unable to get past the newly formed and overly large lump in his throat, he nodded. She gave him a curt nod in return before going toward the stairs, but as Hope watched her, his thoughts drifted back to Saorise. His stomach clenched painfully and he reached out, grabbing her arm and stopping her in her tracks. Lightning slowly turned around, raising an eyebrow, and Hope felt his face heat up again. Yet thoughts of their impending confrontation with Saorise pushed his reservations away and he tightened his grip.

"Light...please be careful." Hope said, stepping closer and remaining locked on her eyes, "Please, please, be careful. I don't know what I'll do if anything happens to you or to Snow. Anyone...I mean... So please-please, be careful. I know it-it's weird to ask something like that, especially with what you do and what we do and just-ugh, this isn't making sense!" Hope took a deep breath, "Just do what you can to stay safe, please? I couldn't-couldn't stand losing someone else to her." I couldn't stand losing you.

Lightning's eyes softened and she relaxed in his grip, slowly but gently prying his fingers off her arm. "Hope...you know Snow and I will do our best."

Hope's shoulders slumped but he managed a smile, "I-I know. But that doesn't stop me from worrying."

Lightning nodded, sighing slightly, "I know Hope. I know I can't stop you from worrying and if we're all honest here, you have every reason to worry." Lightning took a step forward and grabbed Hope's hand, giving it a light squeeze, "I'm worried too." she admitted softly, "I'm worried about you. About what she could do to you." Lightning let out a heavy sigh and somehow Hope felt his body tense and relax at the same time. Only Lightning could make him do that, make him feel so many things at once.

His hands started to tremble.

"But I promise Hope, I will protect you. I will do what I can to shield you from her."

Hope blinked a few times and nodded, squeezing her hand back. Again he was thrust into his memories as a Pulse l'Cie, when they were all fighting for the sake of Cocoon. When they were still trying to understand what they were doing, trying to understand their focus. And Lightning had promised to protect him and Hope had said he'd do his best to protect her too. He knew, even at fourteen, that there was little he could do for this woman that would make much of a difference for her, but damn he had tried. And now, now that he was older, like hell would he fail in protecting her. He'd lay down his life if he had to, he would not let her die. He wouldn't let any of them die.

"And I'll protect you Light. I promise." Hope said forcefully, taking her hand in both of his. Her eyes widened but a smile slowly formed on her lips.

"I know."

"You know, I think it's time we actually made our move, don't you? He's so close...so close. I want to see how he reacts." Saorise chuckled, idly rubbing her fingers on the stem of crystal Cocoon. Several soldiers lay dead around her feet, some frozen solid, others burned to a charred black mass. Saorise glanced at them, her red eyes glinting as she gently tapped one of the soldiers with her black boot, "They're no fun in small groups. That's another thing I'm looking forward to."

Saorise shrugged before snapping her fingers. The air froze around her, even her fur clothes and coat cape seemed utterly still, and blue energy started to mass and form around her before three C'ieth formed beside her. They were flying, avian like C'ieth, and shared the white crystal skin of the more hulking beasts she used. They also had dark red crystals on their heads and wings, their heads swiveling around as Saorise inspected their condition. "That was much easier than I thought." Saorise said, pulling one of the three C'ieth toward her, "I thought there would be more deformities because of the distance. Guess I was wrong. But I'm sure you had something to with it." Saorise sighed and smiled in appreciation, smacking the C'ieth on the shoulder before pointing up at the sky.

"You know what to do." She said. The C'ieth seemed to stare at her for a moment before barreling at the sky, shrieking into the air. She watched them go, her braided white hair flying like a whip behind her. She adjusted the small fur coat cape, tightening the buttons of the white fur before sighing. "But..." She added, looking around, "They won't come, or let him come, if I'm right about this thing. Even they know better than to just send him in all willy nilly." Saorise took a deep breath and started to run toward the city, using aero spells to propel herself forward. She exited the restricted area of Cocoon and scanning the small encampment of buildings that housed the soldiers. She smirked as some of them spotted her and aimed their guns, but the bullets simply bounced off of her protect spell. They fell to the ground in pitiful heaps as she continued to head down the roads, eying one of the buildings with a manic grin.

"He already knows then? It might be more fun that way. I want to see him with that old spark in his eyes before I snuff it out completely." Saorise stopped, the winds she had called dying in an instant as she stared up at the sky. "I know, I know." She said, shrugging as she continued her one-sided conversation. The soldiers were gathering around her and calling in reinforcements, some panicking as they recognized who the figure was. Bullets continued to sail toward her, as well as some magic as the soldiers prepared their mana drives. Saorise rolled her eyes at their efforts and placed a shell spell around her as well, sufficiently halting their attempts to harm her. She looked back at the sky, kicking the ground and sighing.

"I think we'll get him soon to be honest with you. But we might have to be careful with those two in the center. They might try something if we get to close." Saorise hummed as she waited for her answer, sticking her tongue out at the soldiers as they passed her, "No, even if he did, he'd build himself back up. Or, it might just work in our favor if it doesn't wind up happening. If he doesn't reach his potential here, he definitely will later. We just have to leave the right clues." Saorise beamed and nodded her head, "I know, it took a lot of careful thought, but you've been busy so I figured I'd do my part. Besides...I'm practically shaking with anticipation."

Saorise laughed then, twirling as the soldiers tried to take down her barriers with their de-buff spells. "I can't wait. Think he missed me?" Saorise shivered and jumped into the air, forcing aero spells underneath her to propel her forward. Dirt was kicked up and flew at the soldiers, acting like tiny cannonballs as she increased the force of the aero spells but Saorise was too busy concentrating on one of the bases to care for the soldiers. With a smirk she called fire to her hand, the flames licking her fingers as she swirled the flames around her. "Bye bye." She sang before shooting the ball of fire at the base, watching as it exploded with a deafening bang. Tremors wracked the ground around her and debris flew from the base, landing in flaming heaps around the soldiers. She smirked and started firing more and more fireballs, giggling as fiery explosions blasted around her.

Saorise finally let the winds holding her up die down, feet touching the ground soundlessly. She closed her eyes and smiled at the screams and crackling flames, giggled at the calls for help and orders being barked out by the uninjured. And as alarms began to sound loudly throughout the entire city, blaring at her and reminding her that they were screaming and raising concern over her chaos, she laughed. The C'ieth flew overhead and she called one of them down, grabbing its leg and ordering it to take her up. She watched the scene she had caused below erupt into chaos, airships desperately trying to launch and catch up with her. Her eyes searched for only one though, and until he appeared on the battlefield, she cared not who she took down in the resulting upheaval.

She knew Hope could come now. There was too much carnage for him to ignore.

Lebreau and Maqui watched as Hope made what had to be his fifteenth run around the living room. Lebreau growled and tilted her head to the side, trying to get a better view of the television as Hope's leg walked right in front of her vision. Two days of trying to get him to stop, which did include her wrestling Hope to the ground and threatening him with one of her less than stellar self made meals, had taught her it was better to just try and look around him. Both Maqui and Lebreau could understand why he was so nervous. Saorise seemed more present than ever, her shadow looming over them all. And of course they were worried about Snow and Lightning and everyone else that would be forced to face her thanks to Kael. But that did not mean that Hope had to obstruct her view of the damn television! Hope paced to calm his nerves while Lebreau looked at the pretty moving images. What was so hard about giving her that?

"Hope." Lebreau growled, eye twitching as she watched his legs move in front of the television again, "Just sit down. You'll feel better soon anyway. I mean, with Rygdea being back soon and all. So just sit down and try to relax." Maqui rolled his eyes and moved away from Lebreau, not wanting to be caught in the oncoming explosion.

"Relax? Relax? How can you possibly expect me to relax! That psycho is out there this minute, planning some serious shit, and you want me to calm down and relax? I mean, I know Rygdea will be back today, but Saorise will still catch us off guard, no matter what we do from here. When she attacks, we're going to have a small window to try and stop her." Hope exclaimed, throwing his shaking hands up in the air. Maqui swallowed. This looked like it was going to be Hope's worse panic attack today.

"And-And you know what else?" Hope asked, bringing a shaking hand to his forehead and looking down at the floor, "I'm going to have to face her. Maker, I don't think I can do it. I mean, sure, I can try but how far will that actually get me? I mean-I mean, picture it. She'll hurt so many people there and I'll have to-to find a way to stop her and Maker I don't know!" Hope tugged violently at his hair and Maqui rose from the couch, shooting Lebreau a glare. She looked down at her hands, a small, embarrassed blush on her face, and she mumbled out a small sorry. Maqui strode over to Hope and grabbed his wrist before Hope could do any more damage to his head. Hope flinched and looked up at Maqui, eyes wide as if he had been caught in the headlights. "Wh-What?"

Maqui took a deep breath, fumbling in his pockets, "Hope, I know. I know that you're under a lot of pressure. But you keep forgetting something really important." Maqui smiled when he found what he was searching for and pulled his pair of goggles out of his pocket. It wasn't the old pink pair that Yuj had gotten him, or the nice sleek orange ones Yuj insisted he wear. No, it was the old, simple brown ones he always worn at De Novo. He smiled wider and handed them to Hope, blushing slightly as he thought of how silly he might seem.

"We're here to help you Hope, whether you want us here or not." Maqui said, waving the goggles in front of Hope's wide and frightened eyes, "So don't think you're really facing her alone." Maqui forced Hope's head down and slipped the strap of the goggles on, snapping the lens to Hope's head and forcing Hope to look at him. The brown goggles rested idly on Hope's head, looking slightly scuffed from their years of use, but Maqui loved them all the same. Hope reached a trembling hand toward the goggles, fingering one of the lens. "You're gonna get them all finger-printy if you keep doing that. Not much good if you can't see through them." Maqui chuckled, shaking his head.

"But-"

"You're not the only one fighting Hope. But I know you've got a lot on your plate. So let us help you out. I mean-it's the least we can do." Maqui said, shrugging and looking away. Maqui's blush was firm on his cheeks now and he just couldn't look at Hope. Both Hope and Maqui jumped as Lebreau's arms wound around them, pulling them closer.

"Well isn't this special! You two are so cute and mushy!" Lebreau teased, sticking her tongue out at them. Both boys sputtered the opposite at her but looked away as she continued to tease them. Both of their faces were a nice, healthy shade of red, and Lebreau just kept laughing it up. But Maqui felt a swell of pride when he saw Hope reached for the goggles and smile, despite Lebreau's teasing.

That's when they heard it. It was low at first, easily covered up by Lebreau's laughing and the television, but then Hope's chuckles died. He stood stiff, staring down at the ground and closing his eyes, listening hard. Maqui noticed Hope's sudden silence and shushed Lebreau, watching Hope intently.

"What is it Hope?" Maqui asked, but he fell quiet as well, looking out toward the door of the house. They all heard it then, faint and growing the louder. The unmistakable blaring of the city alarms. The alarms whined, growing more desperate with each second that passed, even rumbling the walls. Serah's voice floated in from the kitchen, tinged with the slightest bit of fear as she headed for the silent living room, Hazel in her arms. Serah froze as she watched the three staring outside, the television acting as a background noise, unheard in the almost deafening alarms that haunted the house.

Until it cut to the news.

All eyes turned to the television, Serah slowly easing Hazel down to the floor. Hazel looked up at her mother with wide, questioning eyes before shrugging. She walked over to Hope, glancing at the television that they were all focused on, before grabbing Hope's jeans with her hand. Hazel began to watch the television as well, but wondered what was so special about it. There were no chocobos or special lights.

Nothing of interest.

"Attention all citizens of New Bodhum. Attention all citizens of New Bodhum." The newswoman said, tucking some of her brown hair behind her ear. She had a harried look on her face, eyes wide and glancing around as she tried to read the words in front of her. "There has been attack near the center of the city, near the Cocoon memorial. It is believed to be the work of a C'ieth group organized by a woman known only as Saorise. Repeat, a woman named Saorise." The woman took a deep breath and started to list off her characteristics while warning citizens to stand clear, while Hope and Maqui glanced at each other, before looking at Lebreau. Serah's hand rose to her mouth as she tried to bite back a gasp. Her legs began to wobble and she leaned against the doorframe as she felt weakness in her muscles.

"The branch of the military known as the S.C.E. has been deployed. All known teams have been sent to the area but, as you can see-" The woman paused again and the screen gave a violent shake before shifting to a different scene. The great sphere of Cocoon came into focus, shining brightly under the sun, but all around Cocoon was fire and smoke. The buildings were ablaze and soldiers could be seen roaming the ground. The camera jerked again and this time the screen was moving fast and blurred toward the northern section of town.

There was an explosion that jarred the camera, the sound deafening and causing static on the other side. Chunks of the buildings came flying off, plummeting toward the ground where people were scrambling as they tried to get out of the way. Shrill screams and shouts could be heard despite the static, and more explosions sounded in the distance.

"The city is now in a state of emergency. Every citizen must report to the nearest military post and be escorted to the emergency evacuation area within each respective sector. From there, airships will lift citizens to safer military outposts within Gran Pulse until the situation has been resolved. The North Sector-"

Hope looked away from the television, blocking the rest of the news reporter's instructions out. Maqui and Lebreau gave him a long stare, both looking nervous, eyes flitting toward one another before going back to Hope. Hope glanced at Serah as she made a small, scared noise, her blue eyes catching Hope's green ones. Hope tried to swallow, but the lump in his throat was just too big. It felt like he was about to choke.

Everyone...is down there. Everyone is down there, with Saorise, as she tries to destroy the city.

All to draw me out.

Me.

Hope took a shuddering breath and looked back at Maqui, trying not to scream in his panic, "M-Maqui, we-we're going down there all right? I need you to get those cycles of yours ready. O-Okay? But first we need to suit up. No mistakes...no mistakes." Hope trailed off for a moment, eyes distant before he shook his head, snapping himself out of it. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, white communicator, handing it to Lebreau. "I need you to-to contact everyone from De Novo. Let them know what's going on, what Saorise is doing."

"Even the ones hiding out in Gran Pulse?" Lebreau asked, taking the communicator and squeezing it in her fingers.

"Yes. We're going to need all the help we can get." Hope paused again, the sense of sickening, looming dread filling his lungs. He felt like he was slowly choking, suffocating, the smallest of breath making his chest ache with the effort. Saorise is there. There! Waiting for me.

But-But Lightning and Snow and Gadot and Yuj. Everyone is there.

They're all in danger. I have to-

"All right Hope. Come on, we need to get ready." Maqui said, shaking Hope's shoulder when he didn't respond. Hope nodded before whipping around and hurrying up the stairs, legs shaking with each step. He turned to his room as he reached the last step and snapped his door shut behind him, leaning against the door as he tried to catch his breath.

"Focus Estheim." Hope muttered, "You have to do this." Hope closed his eyes and took a few more deep breaths, wiping any trace of fear from his face. When he opened his eyes again he was the picture of a cold and collected fighter. His face was drawn closed, his mouth a thin line and his eyes hard. He mechanically moved to his closet and pulled out his familiar, black armor. Hope sighed and stripped himself of his clothes, putting on the vest and sleeves, the gloves and cups of armor padding. Soon he was dressed head to toe in the black armor, pulling on the last black boot before straightening himself out.

"Focus." Hope repeated as he finally left his room. He stepped out and glanced down the stairs, lost in the knowledge that he would be leaving soon to help fight Saorise. To stop her from hurting anyone else. Even as she tore everything a part around him, threatened to lock him away and cut hi-

Hope clutched his stomach and flew into the upstairs bathroom. He skidded to his knees and heaved into the toilet, what little he ate that day burning up his throat and spilling into the bowl. Hope closed his eyes at the pungent stench, the toilet smell doing little to ease his stomach's churning. He waited out the storm, giving small heaves as his stomach pressed, before pushing himself away from the toilet. He leaned against the opposite wall, breathing heavily as his throat and mouth burned. Sweat dripped down his face, his skin even paler than normal, but he eventually pushed himself up and off the floor. The bathroom door slowly opened and Maqui stepped inside, eyes darkening as he surveyed Hope.

"Are you all right?" Maqui asked, stepping inside. Hope shook his head and flushed the toilet before going to the cabinets and pulling out his toothbrush. Hope started to brush, neither looking at Maqui or his pale reflection in the mirror, and quickly put everything back even as he was finishing. He placed his rinsed toothbrush back in the cabinet before tuning to Maqui.

"No...no I'm not really okay. But I-I have to do this right?" Hope tried, his voice wavering just a little. Hope shook his head again and cleared his throat, "I have to do this. I have to..."

"It'll be okay Hope." But Maqui looked unsure as well, not quite meeting Hope's eye. In truth, he was scared as well. Not as much as Hope was, but still, he could not shake this growing dread inside of him. The two stood in silence for a few moments before Maqui was able to speak again, "C'mon Hope. Lebreau is waiting for us downstairs." Hope nodded and followed Maqui out of the bathroom, staying behind him as the two headed down the stairs. Serah was waiting on the last step as well, looking up at them as they came down.

"I should-should probably get Hazel and head for one of the posts shouldn't I?" Serah asked once they were on the same floor. She locked eyes with Hope and Hope nodded, stepping forward.

"It would be best, at least until we have everything sorted out. It will be safe there." Hope said, watching as Hazel came up to Serah, a doll in her hand.

"I figured. I told Hazel to get her favorite doll. She'll be more willing to come as long as she has it." Serah explained, her eyes moving quickly from her daughter to Hope and Maqui.

Hope bit his lip and looked at the floor, stomach still doing odd flips and making hism feel dizzy. His legs felt like jelly, jerking and shaking as they fought to hold him up. But he knew what he was going to go do. What he and Maqui and Lebreau were going to do, and what Lightning and Snow were already doing.

They were all fighting. Fighting. And he was...unwillingly...at the center of it. But he would fight for them.

He had to.

"Serah, I promise." Hope started, finally looking up at her and meeting her blue eyes, "I promise that we will come back. I promise we'll be safe. I promise." The last word came out almost desperately, but Hope knew that it was out of desperation that he was saying it to begin with. She needed to understand what he was willing to do, she needed to understand that they would be all right.

If anyone could believe that it was her. She'd know they would be all right.

"Yes Hope." Serah said after a brief moment of silence, "I know. Thank you." She gave them a tremulous smile before scooping him in a hug, squeezing tightly as Hope let out a surprised gasp. Serah turned to Maqui and repeated the motion, giving them a watery smile when she pulled away. "I tried to hug Lebreau too, but she said I should save it for the victory bash."

"You should." Maqui said, trying to grin, "It'll be great to see Lightning get a surprise hug from you too." Serah gave a strained laugh before looking out the window, watching as small groups of people began to move outside. Serah sighed and turned back to them, but Maqui placed a hand on her shoulder. "It'll be over soon."

"I know." She said, "Just get back here. Until then."

"Until then." Hope repeated, giving Serah one last look before both Maqui and Hope moved toward the back door. Lebreau was already on her ride in the backyard, lounging on the handles. She looked up at them as they arrived, scanning them to make sure they had every scrap of armor on before straightening herself out.

"Glad you're ready. I contacted everyone I could and they said they'd be at the locations soon. Some of them already arrived too. The problem.-"

"There's another problem?" Hope interrupted, eyes narrowing. Lebreau rolled her eyes, hand clenching the handles of her vehicle.

"Yes there is. It seems the members that are arriving aren't exactly receiving a warm welcome. We're gonna have trouble getting in too." Lebreau said, starting her cycle up. Hope scowled, the butterflies in his stomach fluttering, and he followed Maqui to the other vehicles. He slipped out his keys and started the ignition, revving the cycle as he began to hover over the ground. Hope took one last deep, shuddering breath as he glanced at Lebreau and Maqui. They both nodded and with one last glance at the house, took off into the air.

Hope squinted his eyes as the wind blew at him, his hair flying behind him. Hope blinked when he remembered the goggles that Maqui had just given him and smiled slightly as he slipped them over his eyes. He led them up into the air, flying over most of the buildings and heading toward the center of the city. Hope felt as if his heart had made a new home in his throat, every breath feeling heavy and strained as blood pounded there. His hands were still shaking as the three zoomed over the buildings and people.

Hope felt like throwing up again.

She's here. She's really here somewhere, waiting for me.

"I have to." Hope muttered, pressing closer to his cycle. All three shivered as they passed through the last non-restricted area of New Bodhum, bases and military posts now littering the area. They looked down, the bright flames popping out at them as the fires roared and consumed the buildings. Hope jolted when he saw that C'ieth were there as well, the kind with the familiar white skin and red crystals. Some were swooping down on soldiers, while other C'ieth that were earth bound hit the bases and people indiscriminately. Shots were ringing in the air, shooting at the C'ieth and almost anything that moved. Soldiers were scrambling around, helping those who had fallen or trying to reach safety areas of their own.

"It's a mad house down here!" Lebreau yelled into her cycle's communicator. Hope nodded and gulped, leading Lebreau and Maqui lower so that they could better survey the area. Lightning and Snow are somehow in this... Hope shook his head when he saw the S.C.E. drop ships in the area, his eyes glancing in every direction as if he would suddenly see them in the chaos.

"DUCK!" Hope jumped when Maqui's desperate scream echoed through the communicator, but pressed himself down on the cycle and flew closer to the ground. Hope shuddered when fire blew by him, the heat warming his skin and reaching his core, and looked to the right where the blast had come from. Hope's eyes widened when he saw one of the S.C.E. soldiers aiming at him with one of the new, larger mana drives attached to his armor. He wanted right then and there to scream at him for being an idiot, but Maqui started talking through the communicator again. "No time for that Hope. We've got several C'ieth up ahead!"

Hope swore under his breath and nodded, pressing the button to his own communicator, "Which way?"

Some static... "North, toward Cocoon." Hope nodded and veered his cycle the other way, Lebreau and Maqui following suit. Hope pressed the button of the communicator again, eyes narrowing as he caught sight of the C'ieth. They were little specks from where they were, but they were approaching fast. He could make out their shapes...

"There are seven." Hope said through the communicator, "Two of them fly, the others are those hulking ones." Hope said, lifting the goggles up so he could get a clearer view. Hope swallowed, eyes roving the battlefield, "Maqui, I need you to be our center." Maqui glanced at him, eyebrows raised, before giving Hope a slow nod.

"U-Understood." Hope looked over at Maqui as he slowly came between him and Lebreau, all three of them slowing down so they wouldn't approach the area too quickly. Once Maqui was between them, Lebreau and Hope pressed their cycles close to Maqui's, the tech head's hands moving fast with the switches on his cycle. Hope held on tighter as his own vehicle shifted, connecting with Maqui's vehicle just as Lebreau's did on the other side. Hope winced at the sounds of metal scraping metal, another jolt rocking his vehicle as the last bits of the metal connected.

I'll have to ask him how he did it. Hope decided, feeling calmer than before now that he had a clear target. Still, the threat of Saorise loomed in his mind, eating away at his already frazzled nerves.

Where are you Lightning? Snow? Gadot and Yuj? Be safe dammit.

"What's the plan Hope?" Maqui asked, letting Lebreau and Hope steer as he pulled a gun out of one of his vehicles compartments.

"Lebreau and I are gonna hit them with some water and thunder." Hope said, nodding at Lebreau. The dark haired woman smirked before hitting the gas and sending all three of them soaring in the air, eve as Maqui shouted at her for her charge.

"Then we're gonna have to go at them faster!" Lebreau called, glaring at the C'ieth below. Maqui rolled his eyes but nodded and aimed his now loaded gun, counting to three before releasing a heavy blast. The explosion on the blast's impact rocked the ground, the C'ieth falling over as well as any surrounding soldiers as the C'ieth in the center left a burn mark on the ground. The flying C'ieth seemed to roar and only double their efforts, but Lebreau only scoffed before looking at Hope.

"Let's take 'em out." She said, smiling at him. Hope nodded as his arms began to tingle. He felt the jolts of his thunder and lightning spells as he called the spells forth, making his muscles throb. He held out his fingertips and Maqui steered them back down, Hope and Lebreau calling forth more and more power as they approached the targets. Hope's arms were practically screaming at him, and in the back of his mind, he thought he heard a familiar voice shouting-

"Be careful Hope!"

Hope blinked and almost broke his concentration.

Vanille?

Hope shook his head and glared back the C'ieth, releasing his pent up magic just as Lebreau released her torrents of water. The two spells collided in a ferocious blast, the crackling of thunder and lightning as it hit the water drowning out any other noise Hope heard. The spells zoomed toward the C'ieth, hitting them square on, and Hope felt a surge of satisfaction as six of them hit the ground. Maqui smiled as well before aiming his gun at a stray C'ieth as it tried to fly away, several more deafening shots hitting the air before the C'ieth was blown to bits in a fiery explosion.

"Take that you bastards!" Lebreau shouted as they slowed down. She pumped her fist into the air for good measure, but stopped when she saw Hope and Maqui looking around them frantically. "What is it?" Maqui shook his head and pointed to a fallen and smoking airship. Lebreau's chest tightened as she saw the familiar letters of S.C.E.

"One of ours..." She muttered.

"It's not looking good." Hope said, head nearly cracking as he tried to sort out the chaos, praying to get a glimpse of Lightning. Even her red cape would do, so long as he knew where she was. Where was Snow and his hulking mass? Surely Snow would stand out in the crowd, no matter what?

But as Hope continued to look around, with no sign of his loved ones coming into view, he couldn't stop the shaking in his voice. "Unhook us Maqui." Hope said, closing his eyes briefly, "Dammit, where are they?" Hope shifted in his seat as his vehicle separated from Maqui's, but did not turn around. He tried to look through the surrounding smoke while not letting his eyes linger on the giant, glowing blue crystal nearby.

"We'll find them Hope. We'll just have to go higher up. We need to meet with them anyway, try and figure out what they're attack plan is." Maqui reasoned, revving up his cycle as he looked up at the sky.

"Right." Hope conceded, glancing up as well. The three started their flight up, glancing around for any oncoming C'ieth. "We'll just have to find them as soon as we-" Hope barely got the words out of his mouth before he was jolted, intense heat burning his side. He choked as panic bloomed in his chest, made only worst as he realized with sickening clarity that he was falling to the ground, his vehicle already flying away from him in bits and pieces. Hope whirled around, eyes widening as he watched Lebreau and Maqui falling as well, their vehicles falling apart in the air.

Hope shook his head, gasping for breath as the heat worsened on his right side. He scrunched his eyes closed but reached out a hand, wind slowly blowing up around them. Hope almost sighed in relief as he felt himself slow down, opening his eyes and watching as Maqui and Lebreau's falls slowed down as well. He opened his mouth to call out to them, but gasped as he was thrown forward. He closed his eyes and shouted as he hit the ground, his body skidding painfully as he landed.

"F-Fuck..." Hope mumbled, his face burning from the impact. He slowly pushed himself up, trying not to shiver or flinch as he felt part of his face peel and bleed. He put his trembling hand to his cheek, calling forward his healing magic. He sighed as he felt the cooling sensation on his cheek, but staggered up before he could be hit again. Hope's eyes widened when he realized he was alone. Maqui and Lebreau were no longer in his sight.

"Guys?" He whispered, stepping forward. "Where are you?" He called louder this time, "Come on, where are you! ? GUYS!" Hope shouted, starting to run. Hope whipped around, eyes roving the chaos around him, but he slowed down when the realized how...alone he was. There was no C'ieth, no soldiers. Even the fires seemed thinner where he was. "Wh-What?" Hope gulped, eyes scrunching up as he tried to gain his bearings. His breathing came out in quick, harsh gasps and his legs shook as he took a few more steps forward.

"Freeze." Hope stopped in his tracks, eyes widening evermore as several soldiers crept out from behind debris or fallen vehicles, their guns cocked and at the ready. And each an every one of them was pointing at Hope.

"Wh-Wh-What?" Hope couldn't think, he couldn't even breath. His mouth hung open, eyes searching each soldier as he tried to make sense of what was going on. The soldiers gave him no time to consider it though, the man that had yelled stepping forward, aiming his gun straight at Hope.

"You-You're the reason! And if you're gone..."

Wh-What? This can't be-be happening. Why? WHY?

"If you're gone, then she can't do anything! She'll have to stop this because you won't be around! It all leads back up to you!" Hope just stared back at the man, eyes burning as he shook his head. Not happening. Not happening.

C'mon Hope, you need a protect spell! A spell dammit! A spell!

How could I have forgotten? I knew we were coming here, why didn't I buff myself? Dammit! No!

Hope tried to move his arms, his legs, something, but all his eyes saw were the barrels of the solder's guns, his comrades, pointing their weapons at him. The people he was fighting to protect all trying to-to kill him. Hope blinked, whispering the words under his breath that would erect his protect spells. Hope tried to keep his calm as he felt his skin tingle, but the shield wasn't strong enough yet. Not to last against all those bullets. He cried out when he heard the multiple bangs from the guns, shutting his eyes and waiting for the pain to come. His mind was a complete blank, unable to comprehend that he was about to-

Hope jolted as something warm and sticky hit his face. He opened his eyes, hugging himself as his whole body shook, and he shivered as the liquid traveled down his cheeks. He winced when he saw that the warm liquid was red, undoubtedly blood, but the voice...the voice...

"Hello Hope." Hope whimpered as his head shot up, shaking his head as he looked at her. Her long white hair was loose in her braid, strands falling on her face. Her red eyes were narrowed, focused only on him even as bullets hit her shield. Her clothes were burned and frayed, her red undershirt torn, and fresh blood stained her shoulder where she had been shot. But Saorise still stood as calm, cool, and confident as ever.

Hope's heart froze.

"It's been a long time...since we could talk face to face." She took a step toward him, smile growing wider, "I missed you Hope." She laughed when he only stared, mouth hanging in silent horror, "What's the matter Hope? You look like your world just ended."