NoctaLightx: I'm baaaaaaaaaaack! That's right it's a new chapter! Sorry for the killer wait. I also have to ask for your forgiveness and I will face any consequences. Lightning and Noctis will not be in this chapter unfortunately. They forced/convinced me to postpone their next appearance a little longer. Plus this one is a little slow, so bear with me on this one. Please enjoy this new segment in my first story!

Remember, any ideas or advice for a noob like me are welcome. And remember to share them POLITELY.

Disclaimers and Such are on the first chapter.

"Claire!" She shouted jumping up from her bed. Where was she? She was in her room…. She was back in her room. Thank the goddess! I couldn't take one more second in that hellish nightmare! She blinked hard a couple of times. But what was that? That was a dream but... It felt so real.

Serah took deep breaths and tried to calm her racing heart. She looked down and gasped. Her fists were clenched tightly onto the bed sheets. She forced open her fingers, flexing them slowly to regain feeling. She pulled an arm across her forehead, wiping away the sweat and tears that stung her eyes.

Hugging her knees, she mused about the petrifying dream: Claire was hurt...She was hurting so bad, and I... I couldn't do anything to help her. She began to cry again, the tears burned her already bloodshot eyes. Why can't I do anything? Why am I so weak?

Footsteps were immediately heard from the doorway. She looked up to see a huge blonde man in his boxers, wide-awake, "Serah! Is everything all right? Are you hurt? Someone break in? I'll kill the bastards who did this! I swear to Etro I will!" He stated, ready to bash the next person he sees through a wall.

Serah sighed, slightly smiling toward her fiancée; He sure is a light sleeper, even though he doesn't sound like it. She tucked some hair that was stuck to her forehead behind her ear, and giggled at her "hero". Then she said, " In only you're underwear Snow? I doubt it."

"I'd do anything to keep you safe, even if it meant beating them all up naked." Snow joked and relaxed, realizing nobody was there to hurt his lover.

Serah giggled again, "Well let's hope it doesn't come to that."

Snow walked over and sat down next to her on the bed. He put an arm around Serah and brought her closer, giving her a kiss on the top of her head. Serah looked up as he caressed her cheek with one of his big hands. Wiping her tears away he asked gently, "Are you alright?"

Serah leaned into Snow's shoulder, "Well, now that you're here I am. But..." she paused, unsure if it was ok to tell him.

"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to." Serah looked up to his big blue orbs that shined through the night. She could tell him anything; he was her lover after all. But this time her problem is different then when she was a l'Cie. What if he thinks she's crazy? What if Snow thinks she's…hopeless? She mentally slapped herself thinking What am I saying? This is the man who stayed with me even though I was a l'Cie for Etro's sake! He still loved me even when the whole world was against him!

Serah shook her head and took a deep breath. "It was a nightmare," she started "a nightmare about Lightning..." she paused, wondering what Snow would do. His only response was nodding his head, urging her to go on. Serah felt confident knowing that there was always someone to talk to now that Lightning was gone. She then continued to explain her frightening experience.

Snow listened intently as she told him the vision; the darkness, the battle, the raven-haired man with the blood-red eyes, all of the death and destruction, but the worst part was how she described her sister being confused, afraid, and covered in wounds. Serah began to cry again from remembering her sister in such a bloody state.

"-and she was so badly injured" she choked, "I couldn't do anything to help her Snow! I couldn't do anything! I just watched her suffer and… and-" She felt the water falling from her eyes again and landing onto the man's chest. "I don't even know if she's even alive." She said through a whimper.

Snow gave a small chuckle. Serah stared back up at Snow with a shocked and tear-stricken expression on her face. Why would he laugh at a time like this? She needs help and he's laughing at her! I knew he would do something like this, she thought , I knew it was too crazy to believe.Then Snow gave her an encouraging grin, bringing her closer he said, "You don't need to worry about a thing because-"

"Because it wasn't real." She finished looking down, "I know."

Snow gave her a questioning look. "Actually, what I was going to say is that you don't need to worry about a thing because I know for a fact that it would take a lot more than that to kill Lightning."

Serah then said in just barely above a whisper, "B-but do you… do you think… you know… she might actually be back? That she returned?"

Snow gave a long sigh, "I don't know Serah. It's been five years! So the odds of that are… um…" He said, trying not to step on a land mine in the conversation.

"Very slim." She finished, backing away from him.

"Serah," He held one of her hands in his, "Lightning will be back, I can feel it. She always comes back somehow, doesn't she?"

"Yeah, you're right!" Serah beamed at him, "She will be back!" Then she hugged and kissed him on the lips saying,

"Thank you."

"Anytime."

"I love you so much."

Snow gave her a big hug and lifted himself off the bed, "I love you too and remember, I will stand by you, no matter what happens. I'm yours forever." He grabbed the door handle, "Try to get some rest, you've gotta long day tomorrow with those little monsters." He joked.

"Oh that's right! I have to teach tomorrow!" Serah exclaimed.

Snow laughed as he closed the door. "Good night Serah."

"Good night." Serah laid back down on her bed, comforted by her fiancée's words. Snow's right, she's too tough to go down that easily. And who knows, maybe she really is back.

"What the hell do you mean, 'unexpected obstacles'?" He slammed his fists down on the desk. "Do you realize how many resources I had to use to keep those fools occupied without drawing too much attention?" he shouted. Glaring at the image of a dark figure on the screen, he paced back and forth around the dark office, worried about what is to come. His gaze shifted to the large windows behind the desk. Staring down at the city below, he grumbled. "I can't show my face in public anymore because of your failure! You-"

"Pardon my interruption, but your mission also proved… unsuccessful." the figure stated, his voice disguised in case of any unwanted intrusions. The man stopped pacing in front of his desk and stared at the screen. The dark figure continued, "Allow me to explain my situation. While the guardian and I were caught in battle, the two crystallized beings displayed some rather extraordinary abilities. I was caught off guard and we were both sent through the gateway."

He furrowed his eyebrows, "That doesn't explain why you were not able to appear with the woman." He smirked, hearing his partner growl.

After a brief pause he got his answer, "She threw me off course." But what about you? Why couldn't you retrieve the package?"

He froze, "It was two against one!" he answered quickly, "I couldn't handle both of them!"

His partner in the screen scoffed at him, "So judging from your account, you couldn't handle two semi-unconscious people who, I might add, were injured as well? The plan could've still worked if only you would have finished them off. Instead you ran like a dog with its tail between its legs!" He sighed, "You're father praised you, naming you the greatest magician in Tenebrae. Is this all there is to your kingdom's magic? My master will become most displeased with your stupidity and cowardice."

He sat back down in the chair, surprised by the man's insults. Who is this man to tell him how good he was? Insulting his father and his land, he will not get away with this. "Who do you think-"

"That's enough son." A calm elderly voice called from across the room. He turned to see an older man with silver hair, a white beard, and he was wearing a navy suit walking toward him. "I believe this debriefing has gone on long enough. Return to your quarters."

"But father-"

"Now!" His father shouted at him, as if he were still a child. His father turned to the screen, "I do humbly apologize for my son's failure and his behavior. I will take full responsibility." He said as his son left the room growling.

"It is forgiven. I am sure there will be a light punime-" he suddenly stopped, making the older man more nervous.

"On second thought, there will be no punishment. This turn of events can actually work to our favor." The disguised man said confidently.

"B-But what of the guardian? Will she not return to her post?" The aged man asked restlessly.

"You do not need to worry about her, I made sure she won't return anytime soon. Focus on Prince Noctis. He is your true objective."

"Yes…sir" The elder said grudgingly.

"Remember!" The figure stated, freezing the elderly gentleman. "We just need to get them away from his father. We need them alive." He ordered, emphasizing his last words.

He grunted "And where will you be?"

The dark figure laughed wickedly, sending a chill down the father's spine. "Patience, patience. My part will come in due time. Just make sure you play yours." And the screen flickered off, the laughing echoing through the aged man's mind.

He leaned back in his chair. "No matter how many times I talk to that man," he said to himself, making his fists tighter, "I will never get used to his impressions. I always feel as if I was just out of death's reach after I talk to him."

He sighed, lifting himself out of his chair. He turned and stared down at the city below him. He pondered his situation, thinking about his alliance. I can't figure you out. Who are you? Who are you working for? If we are mere players, who are the ones pulling the strings? I do not want to resort to these methods but…his muscles tensed. If what you say is true then my kingdom, my empire... I will do whatever is necessary to keep it safe.

His gaze fell upon a picture on his desk right beside his computer. It showed two couples, grinning with drinks in their hands. "I am sorry my old friend." He picked up the picture and gave a sad smile. "But I'm sure you will understand when the day comes."

NoctaLightx: How is Serah connected to all of this? Who is the older gentleman and his dark partner? What is their malevolent scheme?

Hey Nocta! Where are you?

Hm?

Snow: Hello (Glares wickedly and picks me up), why… did you make me do it in my underwear?

NoctaLightx: Ehheheheheh, yes about that. It was a favor for a friend.

Snow: Who?

NoctaLightx: You'll know soon enough. Well folks you have been great readers and we'll see you next time in "Change of plans." Now put me down!

Snow: Not until you tell me who it was!

NoctaLightx: Don't make me bring Lightning in here!

(Snow lets go of him and backs away) You wouldn't!

NoctaLightx: Oh yes I would! I've done crazier stuff and you know it!