Note: Each of these three snippets is set in a different AU. However, all of them are set in universes in which an Empire, not unlike the one in my other story, The Outpost, exists.

X X X

The Lady General

In another world, Fang might have grown up a warrior, but both her parents had been farmers, so she'd become a farmer too. It wasn't a bad life, not by any means. It was honest work, and there was a certain pleasure to be had in coaxing crops out of the earth and taking in the harvest each year. Yet there were times when she would dream of something more, and her hands would open and close as though the tools she used each day didn't sit quite right in them.

She didn't understand why until the day the soldiers came.

They were led by one of the tallest men that Fang had ever seen. He towered over everyone else, and he was no skinny, young lad. He was a man full-grown, broad of shoulder, and powerful of build. Yet the smile on his face was an easy one, though the sword he carried upon his back was massive, a slab of metal that Fang wasn't even sure she could lift, never mind use in combat.

"War is coming," the big man announced once all the villagers had gathered. "And the emperor has sounded his call to arms. The empire needs strong men and women, men and women who will fight in its defence." There were shouts of alarm, and the big man raised his hands, calling for silence as his blue eyes swept over the crowd. "Now, the need is not dire, not yet, but the emperor is a wise man. In times of war, it is better to have too many troops than too few, so he has asked that a message be sent out: let any man or woman who wishes to aid the empire report to the nearest fort for training. All who go will be compensated for their time." He paused. "And if it should come to war, any that fight will be granted full citizenship."

At that, a low murmur ran through the crowd. Full citizenship? The empire had grown vast over the centuries, and citizenship was no mere bauble. It came with rights and privileges. No citizen could be imprisoned or otherwise detained without trial, nor could any citizen be stripped of status or property without similar procedures. Only a citizen could take up office beyond that of village leader, and only a citizen could command troops. But most of all, to be a citizen meant to be granted recognition under the Old Laws, those that had governed Cocoon since before it had become the Empire, rather than the New Laws that held sway over those who were not connected to Cocoon by blood.

Citizenship was a fine prize indeed, and things must be direr than this soldier would have them believe if the emperor was willing to offer it in exchange for service.

After the soldiers had left, there was much talk of the offer that had been made. But Fang's mind was already made up. She spoke with her parents, and they agreed to let her go. They could see that her mind was made up. In truth, they told her, they had expected to lose her sooner. She had done well enough as a farmer, but they had always felt that she was meant for other things.

Fang took only a few things with her and then set off for the nearest fort on foot. They were farmers, but they could not spare a horse for her. Still, the journey would not be a long one. The nearest fort was only a few day's journey away on foot, standing watch over a place where one of the great rivers that cut the plains was shallow enough to afford a crossing.

As she walked, she met others who were going to the fort as well. Some of them were older men and women with little to lose. Others were younger, hoping to win citizenship and the privileges it brought, so that they could enjoy them for the rest of their life. Still others were merely there in the hope of winning glory or plunder from the battlefield. And if the campaigns went well, that was certainly a possibility. All generals shared the riches of war with their soldiers. It was the easiest way to ensure loyalty and hard work.

As she neared the fort, she found herself walking alongside a petite redhead. The other woman was struggling to carry a load that seemed far too big for her, and Fang could hardly suppress a laugh. If this were the quality of soldier she was up against, she would be a captain in no time.

"Here," Fang said, putting a smile on her face and reaching for some of the bundle that the other woman carried. "Let me help."

The other woman eyed her for a moment, suspicious, and then nodded. "Thank you." She paused and then offered her hand. "Vanille."

"Fang." Fang laughed. "Are you here to join the army, Vanille? You do not seem particularly big or fearsome."

Vanille laughed. "I'm a healer, Fang. I have no need to be big or fearsome. Indeed, if I have cause to be big or fearsome, then the army has failed, and I'd be better served by running."

"A healer?" Fang nodded at the load Vanille carried. "Is that why you carry so much?"

"Yes. I have many herbs and instruments unique to a healer's business, but the donkey I had decided it enjoyed the company of woodland creatures better than my own."

"I see." Fang snickered. "You could not get it back?"

"Without being kicked in the face? No, and I prefer my face as it is." Vanille chuckled. "So, are you joining the army then? You have a stout look about you, and you're certainly big and fearsome looking enough."

"I was a farmer," Fang explained. "I thought I'd try my hand at being a soldier."

"Well, you've come to the right place then," Vanille said. "The rumours say that command of the army that will be mustered from this province is being given to a lady general, one of the few, and perhaps the most talented of the emperor's commanders."

"Oh?" Fang had not had many dealing with soldiers before, so she knew little of who the empire's generals were. Yet even she knew that while women could join the army, few rose so high as to become a general. "That is interesting."

"Indeed it is." Vanille patted Fang on the back. "Stick close to me, Fang. You have the look of a country bumpkin about you. I, on the other hand, have spent much of my life in towns and cities. You look after me, and I'll look after you."

Fang considered the offer for a moment and then nodded. "That seems fair enough."

X X X

The big man who had delivered the offer to Fang's village was the commander of the fort. He had the new arrivals quartered in lodgings that had been hastily thrown up about the fort. It was clear, even to Fang's untrained eyed, that many of those seeking to join the army were simply not fit for the task. Some were too young, some were too old, and others were turned away for being wanting in some other way.

Those that remained were quickly assembled, and the big man spoke to all of them again.

"You are here to serve the empire, and for that I thank you. I am Captain Snow Villiers, and I will be the one responsible for turning you into soldiers. If we go to war, then I shall also be the one under whom you serve." Snow laughed. "Do not look so dour. Mayhap, it will not come to war, and if it does, I am no butcher. I prize my soldiers, and if you serve me well, then you can be certain I shall do my best to lead you. Now, who amongst you has experience in fighting?"

It turned out that of the hundreds who had come, only a few had any real experience fighting. It was a sobering realisation for Fang, who had nothing more than a few childhood brawls to fall back on. Yet Snow did not seem alarmed. Instead, he explained to them that they had months in which to train, and that they would learn what they needed to know from the many veterans the camp had. Their training would begin the following day, and it would include physical fitness, weapons drills, and movement in formation.

It was gruelling.

For six months, Fang's entire world was one of constant hard work and exertion. She woke at dawn and marched with the others wearing armour and carrying equipment. Then there was practice, both armed and unarmed, in fighting. The practice weapons were particularly brutal, being heavier than actual weapons to help develop their stamina. The veterans also taught them how to care for their equipment, how to live off the land, and even how to move together as a unit, for that was how the empire fought, great masses of men and women fighting as one, a forest of shields and spears that the enemy could not break.

Yet there was something satisfying about the routine. Fang felt herself growing stronger, and the hard days meant that she slipped to sleep each night without much difficulty. Weapons felt better in her hands than the tools she'd used as a farmer, and she learned how to fight with a swiftness that surprised and pleased her instructors.

It helped too that she had access to a healer who could tell her if the aches and pains she felt were normal. Vanille, Fang had learned, was very skilled in the healing arts, and the redhead had soon established a reputation amongst the soldiers of the fort. It had proven to be a very profitable reputation too, and Fang was always amused when the redhead gave her a lecture about how the real money was in healing, not fighting, since everybody needed a healer eventually, and wars always meant healers were in high demand.

Eventually, Snow trusted Fang and some of her fellows with patrols around the surrounding area. There was word of bandits nearby, and they had training enough, he felt, to be able to deal with it. He left one of the veterans in charge of the group of twenty that Fang was a part of.

It was on Fang's third patrol that they encountered trouble, and they had precious little warning of it. There was only a hiss before the veteran in command went down, an arrow sticking out of his chest. He was still alive, so Fang grabbed him, and the rest of the patrol immediately fell into one of the defensive formations they had learned.

But the bandits had been watching the patrols for some time, and they had gathered all of their forces together, hoping to pick the patrols off one by one. There were twenty in the patrol, but at least fifty or so bandits.

"Hold together!" someone shouted. "Don't let them break us apart!"

But that was easier said than done. Some of the recruits faltered and ran. Others charged forward as the bandits attacked. It was chaos. Fang found herself standing over her commander's wounded body, her spear in one hand, her shield in the other. She was scarcely aware of what was going on around her, for she was hard-pressed just to keep herself alive.

A sword clattered off her shield, and she skewered her opponent in the gut. His eyes widened in disbelief, and Fang gasped as blood splattered onto her front, but she had no time to think about it before she had to block the attacks of another bandit and then another. Her spear flashed and another bandit fell. An arrow clipped the armour on her shoulder, and she lunged forward with her spear, downing another opponent.

Then she heard a horn ring out over the din of battle, and then there was the thunder of hooves. Riders entered the fray, and for a second she thought the battle was surely lost. Then she saw the livery they wore. These were imperial cavalry, and the bandits were cut down even as they tried to flee. It was over within moments, and as the dust settled, the leader of the group wheeled their horse about, and Fang found herself staring up into blazing blue eyes from within a white helm. A red cloak was slung about the rider's shoulders, and she realised, with a start, that this was no mere rider. This was a general.

Then the helm was off, and Fang realised that the general was a woman with features like a marble statue and pink hair. But the expression on her face, by the gods, it was like looking into the very dead of winter. Then, ever so slightly, that expression warmed as the lady general took note of the wounded man that Fang stood protecting.

"Your commanding officer still lives, soldier," the general said. "Well done." She turned away, raising her voice. "Take the wounded to the fort immediately. Advise Captain Snow that I will be arriving shortly. We will escort the remainder of the patrol back." Then her eyes were back on Fang. "You, soldier, what is your name?"

"Fang, ma'am," Fang replied.

"Fang? Well, Fang, since your commanding officer is indisposed and the rest of you seem to be of similar rank and experience, I'm putting you in charge of what is left of your patrol. Get them moving."

And that was how Fang met Lightning Farron, the Lady General of the Empire.

X X X

Swords To Ploughshares

There was talk of another war, and Hope had been asked by his father to seek out the retired soldiers who might still be of use. It was the least he could do as crown prince of the empire, and he had grown to miss some of his old comrades. He'd been in many battles since the last war, but that had been his first war. The people who'd taught him how to fight, how to lead, those people held a special place in his heart.

He took the main road to the south with only a small escort of his most trusted guards, and they rode without livery or banners. The war was far from a certainty, and the last thing he wanted was to cause the kind of panic that would accompany an official call to arms.

The town he was looking for wasn't large, not by any means, but the land nearby was good. As they rode, they passed countless farms and vineyards, and he savoured the sight of a kingdom still at peace with people who were content. The coming harvest must have looked very good because everywhere he went, the people were smiling. Many even waved as he and his escort passed, even if they didn't know who he was.

At last, he reached the place he was looking for. He dismounted his horse and bade his guards wait by the road as he began the long walk up to the farmhouse he could see in the midst of all the fields. It was a good place, he thought. The produce looked bountiful, and the fence that lined the road was in excellent condition. Even the road had been weeded, and he caught the sound of laughter on the wind.

He paused, eyes widening. That was children's laughter. Had it really been so long? Then he smiled. Yes, it had been ten years since the last war. That was more than long enough for children. He continued up the road and then drew to a halt just shy of the farmhouse, his eyes drawn to the two children feeding the chickens that darted here and there. The older one had pink hair, and the younger had dark hair. Both turned to look at him.

"Good morning," Hope said.

The older one put herself in between him and her little sister. Protective. Wary. "Good morning."

"I'm here to see Lightning Farron."

"Mom?" the girl asked. "Who are you?"

"An old friend." Hope smiled. Vanille had always told him that he had a trustworthy smile. "We fought together in the last war. I was passing this way, and I wanted to say hello."

"Oh." The girl was still wary, but she was curious now too. Her green eyes moved quickly from the armour he wore to the sword at his side. "She –"

"Hope."

He turned. Lightning had returned from the fields. Her hands were dusty, and sweat dotted her brow. Instead of the polished armour he'd grown so accustomed to seeing her in, she wore a pair of worn trousers and a weathered shirt. There was a smile on her face. He'd only ever seen her smile a handful of times during the war and never this broadly.

"Lightning."

"What brings you here?" Lightning asked.

Hope opened his mouth to reply, but the words refused to leave him. She was happy here, truly happy. He'd only been here a minute, and he could see that. She'd given so much for the empire during the last war, could he really ask her to leave all of this hard-won happiness on the suspicion that another war might be coming? His gaze drifted to the children, and he felt a smile tug across his lips. He couldn't do that. If war truly came, perhaps he could bring himself to ask for her return, but not until then, not until he was certain there was no other way. It was the least he could do for her.

"I was passing through. I wanted to see… if you were okay."

"I'm fine," Lightning replied. "Have you had breakfast? Fang just rode into town. She should be back soon…"

"It's all right," Hope said. "I've seen enough. I'm glad you found what you were looking for all those years ago."

"So am I." Lightning paused. "You're always welcome here, you know."

"Thank you." Hope smiled again and turned. "Look after yourself, and don't believe everything you hear. Rumours have a way of making things seem worse than they are."

X X X

"Was she there, Your Highness? Did you find General Farron?"

Hope shook his head at his guards as he climbed back onto his horse. "No, I didn't find her, but perhaps that's for the best."

"Your Highness?"

"I must have been given the wrong information. She wasn't there." Hope urged his horse back the way they'd come. "We can cross this town off the list. Perhaps we'll have more luck elsewhere."

X X X

The Furthest Shore

Lightning wakes up on a boat, rocking gently from side to side as it floats across a vast expanse of water. There are no clouds above her, but the sun is merely warm instead of punishingly hot. The air is crisp, clean, and cool, laden with the scent of salt.

She feels younger than she has in years, and the armour she wears is polished to perfection. The cloak about her shoulders is one she hasn't worn in decades, but it feels right to wear it now. A sigh escapes her. She's imagined this place a thousand times, no, more than that. But she's never dared to think she might find her way here, to the furthest shore of all.

Land looms on the horizon, and she can looks around for oars – something, anything to speed her progress. But there is nothing. All the same, however, the current gathers speed, carrying her to the shore with growing swiftness. It's almost as if the sea can sense what she wants.

And then she see them: the flags flying from the battlements of a fortress that was lost a lifetime ago, the place where everything began and where everything ended. She feels tears prickle at her eyes. She had never thought to see those flags again, nor the banners flying alongside them, the banners of great captains and warriors of renown, the banners of friends she'd lost so long ago.

As she draws near the shore, she passes other boats bearing other men and women. They are exactly as she remembers them, and they wave as the current carries her past. There is no anger on their faces, despite everything, only joy at seeing her once again.

And then the shore is there, and she takes her first steps onto a beach she could never forget. It feels exactly as it did, and she has to fight the urge to take off her boots and let the sand run between her toes. Instead, she stands there, still and silent, on the beach, letting the waves lap at her boots, uncaring of the dampness that seeps into them, hoping against all hope that this is real, that this isn't just another dream.

And then she sees her.

"So, you're finally here."

"Fang…" And Lightning runs because it's Fang, and it's been forever since she felt Fang's arms around her, and this is always where the dreams end. But this isn't a dream, and it doesn't end there.

Fang's arms are warm around her, and for the first time in decades, Lightning's world feels right again.

"Hey," Fang whispers.

Lightning looks up and kisses her. "Hey."

X X X

General Lightning Farron died at the age of eighty two, having served the Empire faithfully for decades. It was through her constant efforts that the Empire eventually stabilised its frontiers, ushering in decades of peace. Yet despite this success, the general was said to have been tormented by regret over the fate of Bodhum, which was lost to the enemy when the general was still only a captain.

The loss of Bodhum, a major coastal city and trading hub, was exacerbated by the deaths of many of the Empire's finest soldiers in its defence, along with many of their allies from the clans of Gran Pulse. Foremost amongst these casualties were Captain Snow Villiers and his wife, along with Chieftain Oerba Yun Fang and her sister.

Captain Farron herself was gravely wounded and had to be dragged from the battlefield by her subordinates. It was said that she never forgave them for that, and when Bodhum was eventually retaken and rebuilt, she refused to set foot in the city.

She passed away on her estates near the imperial capital, and she was said to have died with a smile on her face. In accordance with her wishes, her estate is to be turned into a home for needy children.

X X X

Author's Notes

As always, I do not own Final Fantasy. I'm not making any money off of this either.

I've always been fascinated by the way important historical figures come to take on almost mythological status and how that contrasts with the fact that they are, despite their deeds, very much human. These three snippets are all different takes on that idea. In the first, Fang meets a legend in her prime. In the second, Hope sees a legend who has already given enough and decides to let her go. And in the third, the legend goes home, after many years of regret.

As always, I appreciate feedback. Reviews and comments are welcome.