Chapter 26 – The "Accident"

Lightning didn't want to leave, she would have actually preferred to stay with him. But she couldn't bear to keep him down. There was no way she could sit there and let him suffer. She had to let go. She had to for him. She only hoped that he lived happily from now on. Even with that bitch wife of his.

It had been about a month since she left. Her feeling of sadness had only grown. This typical week was just the beginning of her recovery from Noctis. She knew that this was the week he was scheduled to be wed. Sometimes she found herself wishing it was her in Stella's shoes, instead of bearing with the pain of her loss.

Noctis had been her first love. She sometimes imagined him being her only love, never leaving her side, staying with her forever. He was special to her. So far, letting him go was not easy. She was always thinking of him. She thought of all the days they spent together, the words they shared, the nights he was with her… it all seemed so far away now.

There was no hope anymore. Lightning knew that. He would be married, she wouldn't get to interfere in his life as a king, and she would have to stay on Pulse and help Serah and Snow find a different place they lived. They had planned to move out for some time, although, due to the crisis Lightning was in, they put it on hold for a while.

Her friends had tried to help her fallen spirits rise. Dajh and Sazh would visit her a lot. Dajh really liked Lightning. He even called her "Auntie Light." He was just a kid. But his presence helped her get her mind off of things. The little child would always say something to make her laugh…. But not as much as Noctis' words did.

Snow and Vanille were constantly trying to get Lightning to go somewhere with them to have fun. The beach, the market, the park… you name it. They asked her to go. But she refused. She did like being with her friends. Their accompaniment made her happier… But not as much as Noctis' would.

Hope and Trinko would train with Lightning. Trinko tried to teach her new moved, even though she knew most of what he taught her. Hope attempted to work harder when training, thinking it would make Lightning proud. They fought by her side. Knowing that they were there made her feel better…. But not as much as Noctis would.

Fang did the best she could to help. She couldn't just give her a full blown vacation, but Fang shortened her working hours sometimes and gave her easier missions. She had said, "Bad mental conditions makes it harder to fight, and I certainly don't want you getting hurt by the big bad monsters you usually take on. I'll keep it easy for a little while." She knew she was hurting. Her consideration touched her… but not as much as Noctis' would.

No matter what happened, she thought of how she needed Noctis. It got worse every day. Even so, she masked her feelings well. Somehow her friends were still aware of how she was.

With each passing day, Lightning's heart grew weaker. She caught herself wandering to places she had gone to with Noctis, pondering their times together. And thinking if they will ever meet again. Probably not. Lightning had said she wouldn't make his life harder, so that meant not going back. With him being a prince, he wouldn't have much time to come to Pulse either.

Lightning was staring out to the horizon about now. Serah came up to her, worried for her sister. "Lightning? Are you okay?"

Lightning took a second to answer. "Yeah."

Serah knew Lightning missed him. "You know, Light, you could go visit him. This doesn't have to be the end."

Lightning shook her head. "When two people part and go their separate ways, their memories split as well. Some people wish they could go back and be together like before. Others look forward to the day they can meet again." Serah was too stunned to respond.

But Lightning was sure she wouldn't get to meet again.

If only her broken heart would heal faster… so she could forget the pain.

999

His eyes were closed, but he knew it was morning. Today was the day; the day of his marriage.

Noctis lie down in bed, his arm covering his eyes. He didn't think he'd last this long without her. He thought he would end up bursting through the gate and coming back to her. Only, he wasn't sure if he had the courage to see her again. He feared that she would be angry at him for going back. She had said she didn't want any more drama.

Still, he longed for her.

A few knocks came to his door. This particular person just walked in after, knowing they were close enough for him to not mind to terribly much. "How you feeling?"

Noctis sat up. He put his head in his hands. "Not as well as you may think, Prompt."

That's bad. Prompto knew he had been in horrible shape since Light left. If he was worse than the thought…. "You know,… today's the day."

Noctis was silent. He slowly lifted his head. "I know."

Prompto crossed his arms. "You sure you want to go through with this?"

Noctis was sure he wasn't talking about his marriage. He meant his plan he had made up a month ago, after deciding he had to die. His friends supported him with his idea. "I'm positive." Noctis jumped out of bed, landing on the cold stone floor. "I'm doing this… so I can be with her again."

999

Noctis stood on the alter, waiting for his bride. He didn't complain about his suit or the uncomfortable feeling he had inside. He barely spoke the whole day. He didn't even see the blonde in front of him. When she walked down the aisle in a stunning white dress, Noctis only saw a pink-haired beauty.

No matter where he looked, he saw her. It was as if her image was carved into the back of his eyes so wherever he looked he would see her face. When Stella finally reached him, they linked elbows, standing in front of a grey- haired priest.

As the man spoke, Stella leaned over and whispered, "We don't have anything planned after the coronation party. What do you think we should do?"

Noctis knew what she wanted to do. But he would refuse. He had done that with Lightning and wouldn't betray her in any way. He wouldn't even reside in the same room as her for the night. Besides, he had his own plans for the night.

Stella seemed overjoyed while Noctis was distraught. He glanced over at Ignis, Prompto and Gladiolus, who were each what Prompto called, "a third of his best man." They gave him reassuring smiles while mentally preparing for what was to come.

Then he said it; "You may now kiss the bride."

With remorse in his heart, Noctis leaned over to Stella, wanting to run away and hide somewhere. He hesitantly leaned closer and closer, until their lips met.

Now it was all over. He was a married man. But not for long.

Without a moment's notice, Noctis and Stella had to sit on two thrones that were positioned behind them. Solis approached them from behind, a great crown on his head and another in his hand. While slowly transferring his crown onto Noctis' head and the one he was holding onto Stella's, he said, "As a king, it is my duty to serve my kingdom. But my time has passed and I must turn my title over to my heir. I swear my son, Noctis Lucis Caelum, and Stella Nox Fleuret into royalty as the new King and Queen."

When he finished, both crowns were resting upon Noctis' and Stella's heads. As they stood, the crowd cheered. They chanted, "Long live the King and Queen!"

Noctis was no longer a prince. He was a King—a man of leadership and responsibility. But this was only the beginning of the end. His title wouldn't last.

Off to the party.

999

The party took place in the ballroom, near the balcony he and Lightning had shared a kiss. The kiss that started their journey together. Now he was here as a king. He liked that title. But he would give it up. All for her.

The brilliant room was filled with faces. He didn't recognize some of them. He wasn't paying any attention anyway. Only one face stuck in his mind.

He leaned against a table that was littered with refreshments. He held a glass of red wine in his hand with no intention of drinking it.

His best men came next to him, all dreading the show that was on the way. Ignis pushed up his glasses. Noctis would miss that. "Are you sure you're going to go through with this?"

Noctis nodded. He was playing the whole plan in his mind, making sure he knew exactly what he was supposed to do.

Prompto double-checked, "You're just going to give it all up?"

He nodded again. Prompto could be a real goofball, but he would long for his kindness when he left. There was no turning back after this.

Gladiolus slapped his back. "Alright. Just know that we're with you, all the way." He smiled. "We'll be sure to visit."

Noctis smiled back. It would be hard for them to visit him. Even so, Gladiolus comforted him. After his death, his friends wouldn't be around him as much.

Stella was on her way over to them. Changed into a white party dress. Noctis nodded one last time as a signal that he was ready. His friends returned the gesture before going to their positions.

The Queen came to his side. "Isn't this fun?"

Noctis didn't answer. He had no desire to talk to her whatsoever.

Stella was irritated with him. He had been acting like this ever since she left. Stella would not tolerate this behavior. He could not ignore his wife. "Noctis, you and I are married now. You have to forget all about her."

Noctis glared at her. "Never!"

Stella was appalled. "You dare disobey your wife?"

He countered, "Last I checked, the king had more authority than the queen."

Stella backed down. "Why won't you ever listen to me?"

Noctis bitterly reminded, "Because your plan ruined everything."

Stella gasped. He found out? "Whatever do you mean?"

Noctis quietly admitted, "I heard you say you planned everything. And that you wanted to get rid of Lightning. Don't deny it."

Stella wasn't sure how to react. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Noctis headed for another direction. "It's not like you haven't lied to me before."

After taking a few steps, he was in position. It was time for him to die. Ignis was on. "Noctis! Look out! A sniper!"

You would have missed it if you blinked. A shot could be heard. Red spattered across the room, originating from Noctis' neck. He toppled to the ground, limp as a ragdoll. Any guest around him fainted form the bloodshed. The whole room screamed in horror at the new King's assassination.

The guards were ready to investigate, but the old king stopped them. "Half of you go find the assassin! The rest help the guests out!"

Even Stella was forced out of the room, awestruck. Gladiolus, Ignis, and Solis rushed to Noctis' side. Prompto was noticeably absent.

999

Lightning headed to Fang's office to report back. A lot was on her mind. Unlike her, her friends visited Noctis and his friends after they left. So she was surprised when Gladiolus, Prompto, and Ignis were with her friends in Fang's office.

The three outsiders were in the center of the room and her gang gathered around them. Lightning looked at the faces around her. "What's up?"

Prompto, who normally would have made a huge fuss over seeing her after so long, simply handed her a glass of water. "You may need this."

Gladiolus added, "You should sit down too."

She ignored them. "What's going on?"

Ignis looked around the room before announcing, "It's Noctis… he's dead."

The whole room gasped. The glass Lightning was holding slipped from her fingers and shattered at the floor. Hope stuttered, "N-no! How is he dead? I saw him a few weeks ago!"

Gladiolus looked down. "After he was named king, we had a party to celebrate. That's… where he was shot and killed by a sniper."

All of the Pulse inhabitants stared in disbelief. They've all lost someone close to them before, but not like this. Everyone looked to Lightning to see her reaction. She swiftly turned and left. She ran down the hall, trying to get away from everyone.

Sazh and Trinko were going after her, but Ignis stopped them. With a sly smile, Prompto said, "Alright, now that she's gone, let's explain what really happened."

999

Lightning couldn't believe it. Noctis was dead? Right after becoming king?

Her heart was torn apart. She felt a mix of emotions: She was angry Noctis was stupid enough to get himself killed, disappointed for not being there to help him, and upset she didn't get to say goodbye. But most of all, she was full of regret. She could have been there for him. She could have guarded him or something, anything that could have kept him alive. She could have helped him out of the marriage so he wouldn't have been so hurt. But no. She ran away like a coward. She ran from her problems instead of facing them like the brave soldier that she considered herself to be.

Lightning walked mindlessly for a while. She ended up at the waterfall where Noctis gave her the necklace she was wearing. His promise rang in her mind as she recalled his words. "I promise that, no matter what, I will be with you. I'll never leave your side… I'll be with you. Always." She felt tears welling up in her eyes. A few fell down her cheek as she whispered, "I'm so sorry…"

Every memory of him entered her mind. Every smile he gave her, every laugh he let out, the image of his blue eyes, the sound of his piano playing, it all came back to her. His sweet voice echoed in her head as she felt herself begin to cry.

She could have stayed with him until the end. But eve after all the care he gave her, she turned her back on him. She had him suffer alone. How could she do that to him? Lightning placed her head in her hands. She sobbed, "I'm so sorry, Noctis!"

She just cried there for a minute, letting out all of the hurt emotions she had masked. Eventually, she looked up, thinking of how much she had missed him since she left. She would definitely miss him now.

Another tear slid down her face. She didn't expect the next part.

A black gloved hand wiped her tear away tenderly with its thumb. A silky voice comforted, "Don't cry, my Claire."

Lightning quickly turned. A smiling Noctis was behind her. "Hiya."

Author's note:

I got tired of not being able to use lines or anything to separate some parts, so I put 9's there now. Hopefully it'll make things a little more clear.

This is the second to last chapter T_T So sad!

But all things must come to an end…

Anyway, I have another fanfic (Lightis, of course) on the way. I've started writing it and I will upload it shortly.

Thanks for reading!