Authors Note: Sorry for the crappiness of this chapter! x.x I was experiencing writers block (which is the devil lemme tell ya! :[ ) Its kinda blah since its more about explaining, sort of like the chapter between where things start happening again. Besides I don't think to many people like reading HUGE chapters, but they shall get bigger then they are right now. Especially when the action picks up more. :3 Snow gets a lot of love from these ladies doesn't he. 8D Oh and Review plllllz!
"...I really have no idea Missy."
"But she's still breathing right? I mean...she must be okay."
"She's to stubborn t' die."
"...Why would Barthandelus be alive?"
"I don' have a clue. When have the Fal'cie ever done something for a reason we know roight away?"
"I guess...poor Light though."
"Yeah..."
"She's been unconscious for a long time now."
"Bein' lazy is what she's doin'. Leavin' us to worry 'bout her."
She had to be dreaming. Lightning felt a heavy weight on her eyes, almost like it was holding them down. There wasn't anything there but her own exhaustion, but it seemed like to much work regardless. Still, those voices...too real to fake. Were they really here with her? Lightning tried opening her eyes but only managed to open them a slit before they closed once again. It took to much effort to open them, so she just stayed laying down for a few more seconds.
"Awww you know how badly that magic hurts."
Hell yes it hurt. Now Lightning knew just how much pain Fang and Vanille had been in when they had been being tortured. It still had her down for the count. Yet she must be dreaming. All just a bad dream. Because Barthandelus could not be back, and neither could the other two figures she had seen and was now hearing. No...Barthandelus was dead and the other two were trapped in their crystal slumber.
"Yeah well had we not been here she woulda been beasty food."
That...was an excellent point. Lightning managed to open her eyes then, though they were narrowed. Turning her head with an effort, Lightning saw herself looking at the two women she had set out to free. Blinking a few times, Lightning squeezed her eyes closed and then opened them again to look at the two women, thinking that when she opened her eyes they would be gone.
"...Fang? Va...nille?"
With a groan Light lifted her head and tried to rise up to sit. She managed to make it a few inches before she groaned and sank back down.
"Weeell, look who foinally decided ta' wake up."
"Light your awake! Are you alright?"
Lightning had to smile at who said what. Fang...never the one to coddle you. And Vanille, just as concerned as ever. Vanille had come close and was now leaning over Lightning with that concerned look on her face. Closing her eyes for another second, Lightning lifted her hand and waved a small wave.
"No, I'm fine."
A small pause before Fang spoke.
"Suuuure ya' are. You'd be dyin' and still tell us that your foine."
Though that was true, Lightning really did feel alright...besides the aching and the pain that became pronounced when she moved. Yet Lightning forced herself to move as she gritted her teeth and kept her fists clenched. Finally making it to sitting position, Lightning opened her eyes and took in a few ragged breathes. Though they wouldn't believe her, she really was fine. Lightning had just woken up to find two of her good friends, family even, sitting there when they should be in a crystal prison.
"I really am alright. A bit bruised up, but other then that fine."
Lightning got an eyebrow raise and a head shake, but Fang left it alone much to her liking. Pulling her hands up to her face, Lightning rubbed a bit, arching her back to try and get the kinks out. Gritting her teeth once again, Lightning's breath 'whooshed' out of her softly, earning her another look from both Fang and Vanille.
"I'm glad, that damn fal'cie has always been a pain."
"We were so worried!"
Lightning stayed where she was, feeling like if she moved the pain would get to her. Lifting somewhat clouded eyes, she stared at the women she felt sure were going to vanish into thin air.
"Snow said it was impossible."
A laugh, Fang seemed to find that funny.
"I'm sure that big oaf did say that. What happened t' his long winded hero 'we can do anything if we put our mind to it' speeches?"
Lightning clenched her hands into fists and rolled her shoulder back to try and loosen it up.
"Oh he's definitely still giving those. Annoying."
"Can't blame the guy for tryin' t' cheer ya' up."
"Tch."
Silence set in for a little bit before Lightning felt like broaching the subject again.
"What happened?"
"Ya' mean why'r we here?"
Lightning just nodded.
"Don' really know I guess. I just woke up to Missy shakin' me, telling me we were awake again. Don' ask me why or how or anything, 'cause I'm afraid I cant help ya' there."
Pretty straightforward really. Yet both Barthandelus and these two had been revived...why? Furrowing her brow, Lightning glanced down at her hands.
"With Barthandelus back and now you two...somethings not right."
If Barthandelus hadn't been sighted right now Lightning would be happier then she had been in months. Yet everything was clouded by the fact that the menace that had been behind the plot to destroy Cocoon was back. How was she going to tell the rest? Suddenly she stopped thinking like that. They all had families. They couldn't go traipsing all over the planet tracking Barthandelus down. This was something she was going to have to do alone...
Wait.
Aqua eyes turned to look at the women who were still watching her. She wasn't alone anymore. And who would she rather have by her side then Fang and Vanille? Those two women were girls to have by your side no matter the fight. Lightning met Fang's eyes and saw understanding there.
"We goin' after 'im?"
Mind reader. While Vanille was the bubbly girl that everyone loved and cheered everyone up, it was Fang Lightning really related to. The reckless woman was easier to talk to because Lightning never had to worry about what she said. Plus they seemed to be on the same page more often then not.
"We have to. He's here, he's bound to cause problems. Its up to us."
"What I thought. We have t' fi-"
Fang stopped in mid-sentence and turned her head as Lightning became aware of a pounding. The ground rumbled and Lightning rose to her feet, head turning to try and locate the source. Eyes flickered around her and Vanille squealed as the ground under them rumbled.
"What the...?"
Suddenly her eyes focused on what was causing the rumbling. Titan was away from his normal residing place and was walking toward them. Vanille continued to squeal while Lightning pulled her gunblade, something was off. Titan usually stayed in his domain, why was he away?
"The hell?"
Lightning vaguely heard Fang's outburst and the next moment his giant hand was reaching for them. With a tiny gasp, Lightning flipped her gunblade up and stood poised waiting. Why was this happening to them? Vanille started shouting again.
"RUN!"
To late.
Lightning stood ready to face off as the hand enveloped them. Darkness came down like a sheet and Lightning felt something searing and hot touch her chest. It held her in a vise-like grip and she groaned, writhing around as the pain overtook her entire body while at the same time holding her in its grip. What was happening? Why was she in pain? Why was Titan doing this?
Once again the black overcame her and Lightning slumped down, body slipping away into an unconscious state. The last thing she remembered hearing was Vanille's screaming before the words repeated themselves in her mind.
"We will meet again l'cie. Destiny shall once again lie in your hands..."
