Kai: okay I am really sorry with the delay... you know... evil school O.O God I hate math... and social studies. I dont to fricken to talk about what I think about the government cause I don't really care... at all XD As long as they leave me alone o.o and I started a lets play, and a rp on deviantart and ya XD busy... and I dont get home till like... 6:00-7:00 now. (commuting a hour and plus have to wait till five a clock to leave my moms work) do any of you commute a long ways? O.O it be interesting if you did XD here we go XD the final chapter :O FEAR IFRIT!

Lightning: Oh for the love of... you better keep Lia alive...

Kai: maybe o.o

Lightning: ... *chases with gunblade*

Chapter 32: The End is Near

Lightning stared at the creature in horror but her eyes narrowed as she glared at Cao with pure raw hatred. "You have a Eidolon?" she asked in surprise but instinctively held the woman in her arms closer protectively.

Cao simply chuckled. "Hmm yes... I suppose I do. Ifrit." he smirked a bit as he looked at the two.

"Your a l'cie?" Lightning growled, narrowing her eyes as she watched the Eidolon growl. "I thought all the Fal'cie were destroyed..." she whispered, though she knew at least one survived. Which was Andraste, though she didn't have the power she use to.

Cao grinned. "As did I... it seems that is not the case though... there seems to be a handful left. Of course PSICOM is too idiotic to realize there is. Or they have a l'cie before them. After all, the Fal'Cie are apparently all dead." he chuckled grimly.

Lightning stared at him in shock. Did he sense that Andraste was one? Or was her power too weak for even a l'cie to sense it? After all... Lightning never even suspected her other then her strange beauty. Though the other Fal'Cie in human form didn't seem as beautiful, then again she probably didn't meet them all.

Cursing, the soldier glared at him, holding the thief closer against her protectively.

"And what exactly do you want?" she said coldly to him, her blue eyes watching him and Ifrit cautiously.

Cao smirked. "Well... one, that thief in your arms there is quite annoying and a nuisance. And two, she's actually knows things she shouldn't. Like the whereabouts of a fallen Fal'Cie, Andraste. Even helping her. Let's just say, the Fal'Cie that placed this brand on me, really doesn't like her." he explained, tapping a finger against his chin in thought, that smirk still crossing his face.

Feeling her heart beat skip a bit, Lightning stiffened, her grip getting tight on Lia but quickly softened it, not wanting to damage the woman anymore then she already was.

Sweat rolled down her brow as the Eidolon growled and flames came flaring out of its mouth ever so slightly, prepared to engage in battle.

Cao snickered a bit as he watched then opened his mouth to give one simple and clear command to the great fire beast.

"Kill them."

Ifrit roared out, flames engulfing his body as his eyes flowed amber, balls of fire formed in his large claws then were flung towards the two women.

The soldier cursed again, quickly moving to the right, the flames close enough to singe a good few strands of her hair. This Eidolon moved fast.

Another wave of fireballs came crashing down at her. Lightning grunted as she forced herself to run out of the way and lept back. It was harder since she was carrying Lia, but if she put her down, Ifrit might just attack her and finish her off.

"Awe come on now... just drop her and your life will be spared. After all, she's helping a Fal'Cie, she's a thief, and she lives like scum. It is your duty to bring her justice is it not?" Cao mused as he watched the fight with amusement.

Lightning scowled at the words. Even if she did want to put Lia down and save her own skin, which she wouldn't, Cao would probably kill her anyways because she knew his l'cie secret. If PSICOM found out, they would probably panic and start the purge all over again which no one wanted.

Unsure what to do at the moment, Lightning continued to dodge the Eidolons assaults.

Ifrit growled in annoyance, a flame growing larger in his mouth, seeming to prepare for a special attack.

Shit.

Lightning growled as she tried to think, though was soon distracted by a feel of a hand roaming her body. She tensed and blushed, thanking the Maker that Ifrit had stopped attacking at the moment, her legs bound to the ground beneath her.

Lia seemed full awake, and her hands were gently, but swiftly roaming the soldiers toned body which included under the clothing.

"Lia what are you doing?" Lightning hissed to her with embarrassment and frustration, her cheeks flushed and her eyes slightly drooping.

Hands pulling away, only to hold a hyper potion in her grasp, Lia drank it then lept out of Lightning's arms with a slight stagger.

"Looking for this." Lia answered cooly with a grin, shaking the empty bottle slightly in reference.

Blinking, the soldier shook her head and glared. "You could of asked instead of swiping it off of me like that!" she yelled but then dropped her voice, face blushing more because Cao might of heard what she said.

The thief only chuckled though.

"I'll distract Ifrit, you go after Cao." Lia said, her face growing serious now.

Lightning blinked a bit. Even with a hyper potion, Lia wouldn't be a match for a Eidolon or even Cao on her own. "But..." she started to say but was quickly interrupted.

"Just do it. If you get Cao, Ifrit will disappear right? So the sooner we get rid of him the better. Don't worry I'll be fine." Lia insisted, giving her a confident grin.

Lightning looked at her softly then slowly nodded unsure.

After that, Lia grinned then ran to the left quickly then waved her arms. Throwing taunts at the Eidolon so he would pay attention to her.

"Hey lizard breath! You call that fire? I've seen a wasteland of snow hotter than you!" Lia taunted with a cocky smirk.

The Eidolon snorted, closing his mouth and charging foreward, his claws engulfed in fire as he slammed them against the ground toward her. The thief quickly dodged to the left, hissing as the flames burned the side of her right leg. She was still slower then normal cause of her injuries.

"That all you got? How long have you been in the freezer?" Lia said again, only irritating the Eidolon more as he lashed out.

Lightning watched the battle for a moment, then she ran towards Cao, sword unsheathed and readied to strike. But Cao wasn't to be underestimated, as he leaped back, unsheathing his own sword to block her forceful attack.

A chuckle emitted from his throat as his wicked smirk crossed his face. "Got to do better than that solder." he mused, forcing her back with a great shove.

She doubled back for a moment to catch her balance, eyes narrowed in complete focus now as she made a slash toward his left side.

He was quick though and saw the move coming and jumped over her, doing a flip, his sword above his head to come towards the back of Lightning's head.

Lightning quickly ducked, the blade slicing a strand of her hair as she twirled to the right, to slash him in the side as he came down to land.

Cao cursed as it cut his leg but he managed to kick the sword away and punched the swordswoman across the face.

She hissed but quickly countered by dropping then kicking up and kicked his chin, sending him flying up. She then took her gunblade and fired shots at him in the air.

The l'cie lashed the bullets with his sword, the bullets making his sword sing with dissatisfaction at the force. It was then that Lightning snapped her head toward Lia, who had been fairing against the Ifrit with dodges, though she was tiring from her wounds and it wasn't long till the Eidolon slammed a flame covered fist against her, sending the thief flying across the area.

Lightning gasped, distracted as she was about to turn and run over her but quickly raised her gunblade just in time to block Cao's sword that had come slamming down on her..

Crap... How was she suppose to help Lia when this maniac was attacking her? She couldn't do both since Ifrit would mostly attack her if she bolted over there with Cao on her heels.

She glanced toward the thief again, Lia was currently twitching from pain but forced herself on her knees, coughing up blood. Fists clench. The soldier looked worriedly, and in horror at her beloved till Lia's pocket started to glow blue.

Lia looked confused, reaching in and pulling out a crystal, the one of Leviathan. Was the Eidolon wanting to help her now? The thief grinned, tossing it up then kicked it, shattering it and a bright flash was made. And there stood the great water Eidolon, king of the seas, Leviathan.

The water serpent screetched as the fire beast roared. Both slammed into each other, Leviathan twisting his body around the fire beast and breathing a blast of water against his head. Ifrit roared at the attack, rage burning in his hot amber gaze as he grabbed at the serpent to toss him off.

The two shot element attacks at one another.

Lightning growled as Cao attacked again, she hissed as he kicked her stomach and elbowed her shoulder. Blue eyes icy, she spun and caught his side with her blade. He hissed and backed away, using cure on himself.

Hearing the fire Eidolon snarl, Lightning glanced toward the Eidolon battle, both beasts were using their special attack. Iftrit launched out a great supernova like blast, Hellfire. While Leviathan summoned a Tidal wave. Both elements clashed, struggling to get the upperhand and push against one another. The great blast distracted Cao, giving Lightning long enough to lash out, stabbing him right through the chest.

Cao's eyes went wide in astonishment, blood trickling down his lip, his snake green eyes wide with fear. Lightning pulled her gunblade out, and watched as he fell to the ground, dead.

She watched as Ifrit roared, seeming to evaporate and disappear. Leviathan let out a loud screetch of victory and disappeared as well.

Lightning smiled in relief then looked around, wanting to see the beloved face that belonged to Lia, but the thief was no where to be seen. She blinked softly and looked around, then saw a letter, picking it up she opened and read it.

Dear to those who read this,

You will have to try better then sending someone like him to catch me... after all, I'm afraid sir Cao can be quite annoying. I do apologize to having to kill him, but I must admit, he was a little too rough with me and I rather not be treated so as you can see. I must admit that you were able to get your dear soldier back, a shame that I must admit that defeat without obtaining my gil. Don't fret though, I'll get it back one way or another. Ta Ta~

Love,

White Fox

Lightning grumbled as she read the letter, guessing that Lia was going to take the blame for Cao's death, White Fox wasn't known to kill for awhile now, and PSICOM will be madder then ever at her. But the soldier knew, that the thief was trying to protect her. Lightning frowned a bit. She left without saying goodbye though... she didn't care if she got in trouble for this or that she would keep her position.. she wanted her. The thief had even admited that she wanted her too.

That was when Lightning noticed a little note, hidden inside the letter. She took the small piece of paper and read it.

Dear Claire Farron,

I am sorry for leaving you so soon and that little letter that is meant or those silly men but you know, if I stay they'll try and catch me again. Don't worry though... You can bet that you will see me often... better keep your eyes open in your house too. I might sneak in. Oh, and I'll enjoy playing cops and robbers with you... it should be a lot of fun. I love you Claire Farron, and I'll be there for you no matter what. Thats a promise, and I won't break it.

xoxoxoxo

Love,

Lia

Lightning gave a small smile as she read, reading it over and over again even though other members of PSICOM came dashing over to investigate and sirens flared through the air.

Yes... they would defiantly meet again.