A/N: Writing this chapter really got on my nerves - blame it on my laptop for low battery. Oh yeah, I think shotgun guy's name is Prompto right? Anyway, the good parts will be coming soon! *shivers* Has anyone heard of the Thai movie Coming Soon? It's really creepy.

Chapter Four

.Passed the Test...Or so.

Last night was a drag for Lightning. She had found a place to stay. But thanks to her rock 'n roll neighbor and hard bed, it was hard for her to sleep. Her back was aching from the bed. She made a note to herself that she would find another place to stay where it is peace, quite and comfy.

She yawned. Now she was sleepy on her first day at SOLDIER. Not good. She thought and yawned again. She was wearing the same uniform she wore back in Cocoon. It was pretty comfortable for her.

She entered the building and went to the director's office. She looked at the SOLDIERs that passed by her. She didn't seem to be surprised that they were staring at her since she knew that they weren't used to see a girl around the building. As she arrived at the door of the office, she knocked and heard a faint "Come in."

Lightning entered the office and saw a man sitting on a chair. "You must be Lightning Farron." He said with a smile. "Take your seat." She sat down on a chair which was in front of the director's desk. "I'm in charge of SOLDIER when the president is away. Since President Rufus Shinra is at meeting, I'll be the one to guide you for now. Supposedly, SOLDIERs have their rooms on their own here with the exception of the 1st class SOLDIERS. But since you are a female, you won't be staying here. I bet the president has arranged you for a place to stay." He continued as he looked for her file.

"I declined his offer." She replied. "I can find a place on my own."

"Oh I see. Where are you staying at?" He asked as he found her file and began to flip through the pages of the file. "At an apartment nearby." She replied. She felt sleepy again although she doesn't show it.

"I see." He said. "So your rank is higher than I thought. I guess you should take the test to be first class."

"The test?"

"Yes. If you pass, then you'll be automatically a first class." He explained as he closed the portfolio. "It starts today actually." Lightning thought about it and thought about the possibilities. She might get into more trouble if she's i the lower class since people are striving for higher classes. Then if she's in the first class, she wouldn't have to struggle but the missions would be quite difficult and would involve more serious matters.

"Fine by me."

"Good. Genesis will take you to the exam room." He glanced to the man who was carrying a book beside the door. Since when did he came in? Lightning stood up and followed Genesis as he went out.

Silence was between them as they walk. Lightning wasn't really bothered by this since he looked like a man who could barely talk. She could feel her eyes getting tired and yawned quietly.

"I know we haven't had a proper introduction." He paused for a while. "I'm Genesis."
"Lightning." They both shook their hands, her face didn't seem like she was pleased or not. "The test is quite difficult. But you can use anything to defeat it." He started. She smirked. Anything, huh?

"I'll keep that in mind." Her tone sounded like she already knew. After that they began talking until they arrived at the area where the test would begin. They entered the room. The room was quite spacious than it looked like from outside. It was just a plain, wide and spacious four sided wall painted in clean white with a wide glass window at the top side of the left wall. That's where they will watch me fight I guess. She thought.

"Good luck, Lightning." He said and left. As the door was shut, the room began to change into a nigh time meadow with glowing flowers and fireflies.

"Oh yeah, the room changes when you fight. Don't worry you're not teleported or anything. It's the same room. Once the fight is over, everything will back to normal."

Out of the blue, ferocious monsters began to appear and surround her. No surprised look was on her face. She faced monsters that were far more ferocious than these. As the surrounding monsters began to charge to her, she began to jump high in the air and shoot them with her gunblade. As they were knocked out, they disappeared instantly. She landed in the soft grass safely. She turned around and more monsters were coming to her. She calmly shoot them with no worries. As more monsters began to appear, the more calmly she would shoot at them. This is just too easy.

"Not bad. Not bad at all. Now it's time for the big one."

The earth started to shake. She turned to her back and saw a more large and ferocious monster. Still, no sign of surprise was shown. She shoot right through it's eye. The monster roared in pain. She summoned Odin and they both attacked the monster until it disappeared.

The scenery changed to a normal room again. She heard the door open and saw Genesis. "Not bad. You passed the test." he said. She was amused as she saw his slightly shocked face. "For me that is. The results will be known by tomorrow." Now it was his turn to be amused as Lightning's victory smirk faded.

"You can go around now. If you want to." She headed for the door and left the room.

Meanwhile...

"Would you look at that!" Prompto exclaimed as he saw the planet from his window. "Since when did you tag along?" He asked coldly. His blonde friend, who was too busy looking with awe at Gaia, ignored the prince. "I can't believe we're almost there!"

Noctis rolled his eyes. This is going to be tough for him.

Lightning decided to explore the building again. She had been fully awakened after the test from the adrenaline rush and all. That's good thing...or is it not?
She was thinking of Serah. How is she doing? Is she okay? Has she eaten? Questions were swirling around her head that was concerning about Serah. As she was about to go past into a corner, she bumped into somebody again.

She landed her butt on the ground. It must be something big since she fell. She looked over to see a man with black hair and carried a sword with him. She stood up as if nothing had happened. "Sorry 'bout that. I wasn't looking." She said.

"It was my fault too. I'm sorry." The man replied and laughed innocently. "What are you doing-"

"Ring ding dong ring ding dong-"

"Hello? Yeah... Okay... Bye" The man, then, hung up his phone. "I got to go. See ya!" With that, he ran off. Lightning watched him as he disappeared.

It was already noon. Lightning was at a nearby restaurant for lunch. It was quite unusual since she was used to Vanille's never-ending talk.

"Hey, it's you!"

Lightning turned to owner of the voice. It was the girl from yesterday. "Thanks a lot for yesterday."

"No problem."

"What's your name? I'm Tifa Lockhart."

"Lightning Farron."

After a brief introduction, the two began to talk and talk until t was already dark. The two went outside the restaurant. "So, since you've come from Cocoon, where are you staying?"
"At a nearby apartment. I'm planning to move by tomorrow since my neighbor's really loud."

"You could stay at my place." She beamed. Lightning looked at her with the are-you-serious? face. "Are you sure? We just met." She replied.

"It's for yesterday's help." She said calmly. Who knew that helping someone could bring extra luck. She doesn't have a choice. She doesn't know anyone else in Gaia.

"Alright."

"That's great!" She said. "I have to go. The kids are waiting for me. See ya, Light!" With that, she left. Lightning went back to her apartment.