L'cie? You mean me? Oh child, perish the thought. I am more than that. I am Fal'cie. My name is Barthandelus. Voice of the Sanctum, and lord sovereign of the Cocoon Fal'cie.

Barthandelus, or rather, Primarch Dysley, sat on his throne, a deep frown etched deep into his features.

Barthandelus longed for the days where everything was simpler. He longed for the early days when the Maker left the world, and everything was peaceful. He simply wanted to start over. He wanted to go back to the days where he was not a simple shell, but a living being. He wanted to go back to the time where he was not afraid to feel emotion, but gladly welcomed it. After living for so long, he learned that being attached to temporary things would only cause pain. He and Orphan longed for the same thing, the same thing that would take the pain away, the thing that would make everything right again.

To put it simply, he longed for death. After all, who wouldn't, when they no longer held the ability to be happy?

The L'cie perceived Barthandelus as a heartless and sinister being, who held belief that killing millions of Cocoon citizens would summon the maker, who would put an end to the misery that Cocoon's populace suffered. In truth, Barthandelus genuinely mourned for the current state of the world, and the L'cie were only prolonging that suffering by choosing not to fulfill their given focus. Barthandelus's ultimate goal was to destroy the Fal'cie Orphan, which in turn would tear Cocoon asunder, and call forth the Maker. If he was successful, then perhaps the world could be born anew. Unfortunately He could not do this himself, and would need help from Pulse L'cie, and through them would he be able to destroy Orphan. Pulling the invisible strings that his status as lord sovereign allowed, he and the other Fal'cie secretly ensured the Pulse L'cie's safe travel through their endeavors. After using Vanille and Fang as bait, the L'cie did exactly what Barthandelus knew they would do. They came after their friends.

The last time Barthandelus had seen them, was on the airship of the Palemecia. They were exceptionally strong and skilled, something that Barthandelus was counting on. He was insulted when they thought they could possibly defeat him. Were they not listening when he said lord sovereign? A part of him wanted to laugh when they expressed their hatred for him; if they only knew it was he who ensured their safe passage.

Your destiny was my design.

The L'cie did not fight to win. They were following the path that he carved for them. And as long as they continued to follow that path, his and Orphan's fate would be sealed.

Is this really the world that they dreamed of?

Lightning was the first to awaken between the other five group members. She sat up and stretched her aching muscles, which protested loudly. She looked over to Snow, who was leaning against a rock, clearly asleep. Lightning sighed in annoyance. Guard duty would have to be another activity added to the long list of things Snow wasn't good at.

Frowning, Lightning walked over to Snow and firmly kicked his leg. His eyes shot open in alarm.

"Wha-hey! Why did you kick me?" Snow rubbed his eyes, forcing himself awake.

"You had guard duty." She stated, simply. Snow's expression rapidly changed from annoyance to meekness.

"Oh...crap. I'm sorry, I told you I was too tired for this!" He defended, his speech slightly slurred. Lightning rolled her eyes.

"I'm going to go find food. You watch the camp." She said, sternly. Snow nodded his head, and quickly stood up. The swiftness of his standing caused him to stumble back, and bump into the rock he was leaning against not too long ago. Lightning shook her head in disbelief. Was it even possible for one person to be so stupid?

Lightning glanced around the camp before her eyes settled on the space that Fang had been occupying just last night. She huffed in exasperation when she noticed that the huntress was no longer there. She turned to the disoriented Snow, demanding Fangs location.

"She said she was going to that pond we passed a few days ago before I fell asleep...which I am really sorry about by the way." Snow looked at her with heavily lidded eyes, barely keeping them open as he fought to stay awake.

"Of course. And Snow?" Snow tiredly lifted his head.

"Go to sleep. You're no use to us if you can barely move." Snow unceremoniously slid to the ground, his head thumping on the cool dirt. He was asleep within seconds.

Judging by the darkness, it was still very early in the morning. Lightning was surprised that Fang even got up before she did, it had to be at least 4:30 AM. Although, the Pulsian never did like to stay still for very long. Lightning noticed this when Fang refused to stop for breaks, something that Lightning very much appreciated. She hated stopping for unnecessary reasons, another reason why she admired Fang. Lightning smirked as she remembered the first time they actually talked, which was when Fang admitted that she was a L'cie from Gran Pulse five-hundred years ago. She said that she had re-awakened on Cocoon, with no recollection of her focus. She went on to explain how she and Vanille were indirectly responsible for Serah's branding, only to receive a backhanded slap across the face from Lightning. Lightning winced as she remembered the loud slap that echoed throughout the ally-ways of Palumpolum, and how her hand ached when it made contact with Fangs surprisingly strong jaw.

"shouting at it won't work. It's called interference." Lightning had felt like and idiot when she was shouting at the poor device, only to be told by Fang that it wouldn't do any good. She recalled their discussion of weather or not Fang was ready to become a full fledged enemy of Cocoon to find answers. "Pulse and Cocoon can rot for all I care. If I don't figure out our focus soon, Vanille's gonna turn Cie'th...and I'll tear down the sky if it'll save her." Lightning felt a pang of jealousy towards the protectiveness that Fang held towards Vanille. She knew that Fang and Vanille held a strong bond that was magnified by them being L'cie, but she couldn't help but long for that same bond. In some ways, Fang and Vanille reminded Lightning of her and Serah, though Lightning knew that Fang would never abandon Vanille, no matter the situation. Regret and guilt started to slowly bubble inside of Lightning, as she remembered the last things spoken to Serah before she found her on the Cocoon Vestige. "you became a L'cie. And now you're marrying this idiot? Points for originality. But don't forget, if you really are a L'cie, it will be my job to deal with you." She could still remember Serah's tears as she ran out of the kitchen, and Snow's enraged face at Lightning's refusal to believe the truth. If Serah ever did wake up in their lifetime, she hoped that she could find it in her heart to forgive Lightning. If she couldn't, it would tear Lightning up inside. Serah was her only family left, and the thought of losing her was just...unthinkable.

As Lightning got lost in her thoughts, she didn't realize that she was headed straight for the pond that Fang said she would be at. Blindly navigating through trees and bushes, Lightning ended up near a body of water, with water spilling over the edge of a large waterfall. Looking up into the trees in search of fruit, Lightning spotted some particularly juicy looking mango at the very top of the trees. Lightning nudged the trees with her foot, before bringing her leg up and kicking one as hard as her legs would allow. The pain in her foot was forgotten as the delectable fruit plummeted from their perches and landed in her hands. Placing them at the base of the trees and making a pile, Lightning moved to the next tree before freezing in her tracks.

Fang was in the water.

Bathing.

Naked.

Thankfully, her back was turned to Lightning as she enjoyed the coolness of the waterfall, but that didn't stop Lightning's head from almost exploding. Holy hell, Lightning thought as she stared at the tanned back that was facing her, why didn't Snow tell me she was going to bathe? She mentally shouted. Because it was obvious, a tiny voice in the back of her mind responded. But...she's naked! And I'm staring! Why am I staring? Lightning was having a full blown panic attack. Because you like her, The voice answered, as if it was obvious. That's ludicrous. I do not like Fang, she stated, firmly. Yes you do, and you know it. Shut up! Just shut up, you stupid voice in my head! I can't, because I'm you. and you're insane. Which makes us both insane. You're damn right your insane, Lightning responded. She then realized that she was literally arguing with herself, something that some people would classify as schizophrenic. She shook her head and involuntarily turned back to the glorious scene in front of her. Fang's hair was matted and clung to her back, her wild curls still evident even when soaking wet. Little beads of water slid down Fang's muscled back, which tensed as she moved back under the waterfall. The water fell over Fang's body, completely soaking her entire person. Lightning followed the water as it slowly descended down Fang's back and towards her-NO! Lightning forced herself to look away, and then hid behind the closest tree in reach. She wanted to curl up inside herself until she was sure Fang couldn't see her. The thought of getting caught being a peeping Tom was absolutely mortifying for the soldier.

As slowly and as subtly as she could, Lightning turned her body to look around the tree, eyes wide and searching for Fang. Relief washed over her in waves when she saw that Fang was gone, as well as her clothes. Thank Etro, Lightning thought. She stood up and dusted off her clothes, which were now dirty from crouching on the ground. And then, as quickly as she could blink, a wet arm wrapped around her midsection, stopping her in place. Lightning gasped audibly and struggled out of the unknown assailants grip, only to be let go. She stumbled forwards at the unexpected release and swiftly turned around. She was shocked to see Fang, still soaking wet, standing before her. Her sari was dripping with water, causing it to cling to her body. Lightning opened her mouth, but no sound came out. She found herself too embarrassed to speak. She didn't show it, however. Her face easily slipped back into the stone mask she was so familiar with. She looked calm, but her thoughts were in turmoil. Had she seen me? She thought, frantically.

"Enjoy the view, sunshine?" Lightning's stomach dropped at the confirmation that yes, Fang had seen her.

"I don't know what you're talking about, Fang." Fang laughed at this, obviously seeing through the lie.

"Don't lie to me. I could hear you panting from all the way over there. You should try breathing through your nose next time." Lightning stood, stuck to the ground. What was Fang going to do? She didn't look angry. She looked...amused? Flattered?

"Is there a reason you were watching me at a private time?" Fang asked, her eyes daring Lightning to say something. Lightning responded quickly.

"No." Fang smirked.

"So you aren't denying it, then?" Shit, Lightning thought. I've been caught.

"I-just- don't tell anyone, Fang." Lightning said, more of a demand than a plead.

"What's the magic word?" Fang asked.

"I'm not going to beg you, Fang!" Lightning exclaimed.

"I'm not asking for you to beg, Lightnin' I simply want you to ask nicely." Lightning scowled. Now Fang was just testing her.

"Please, Fang. Don't tell anyone." She growled.

"I guess that's as close to 'nicely' as I'm gonna get, eh?" Fang asked. A deep frown overtook Lightning's face as she bent down to collect the mango.

"Collecting food?" Fang asked, walking up beside her.

"No Fang, I'm making tea." Lightning grumbled.

"Shouldn't I be the one that's angry right now?" Fang asked, only succeeding in fueling Lightning's irritation. Fang chuckled as Lightning stormed off, both arms full of the large mango.

"You aren't going to fill many stomachs with fruit, sunshine." Fang pointed, jogging up to her.

"I know, Fang. But if you haven't noticed, there isn't much else to eat here" Lightning replied.

"I wouldn't be so sure. Follow me." Lightning reluctantly followed Fang out of the trees and back out into the vast plains, which were now filled with enemies.

"What else is there to eat on Pulse?" Lightning asked.

"Gran Pulse." Fang corrected. "You'll see."

They came to a stop on top of a hill, overlooking a large area that they hadn't explored. The area was filled with animals that resembled Gorgonopsids, but were smaller in size.

"What are those things?" Lightning asked, taking in the strange animals.

"Those? They're called Verschillends. Great for eating, easy to kill. Much better than fruit, yeah?"

"We'll see." Lightning unsheathed her gunblade, and charged at the closest Verschillend, thrusting her blade into it's side. Blood spurted from the fatal wound. The animal went down as soon as Lightning removed her weapon.

"What'd I tell ya? Easy to kill." Fang picked up the Verschillend's head, while Lightning supported it's back.

"We're taking the fruit, too." Lightning declared.

"Good luck carrying, then." Fang answered. Lightning frowned and picked up the fruit, which was now harder to carry.

"Lightnin'?" Lightning looked at Fang in annoyance.

"What?"

"You never told me if you enjoyed the view."

"Shut up, Fang."

Even though she couldn't see her face, Lightning knew that Fang was smiling.

By the time the duo returned to the camp, the sun was up, and so were the rest of their traveling companions.

Sazh immediately rushed over to them, eager for food. Upon noticing the strange creature they were carrying, he looked at them suspiciously.

"You didn't bring that thing back to eat, did you?" He asked, distaste clear in his voice. " 'Cause I am not eating that. No way" Lightning scoffed.

"Then you're welcome to starve." Sazh glared at her before plucking a mango from her arms and taking it back to the fire. Vanille lazily crawled out of her respective tent and smiled upon seeing the Verschillend. "Oh, Fang! I love Verschillend!" She squealed. "Who's going to skin it?"

"Well I was thinking me and Lightnin' could sk-"

"I will!" Snow suddenly shouted from across camp.

"Do you even know how to skin things like these?" Sazh asked, unbelieving.

"No...but I'm sure it's not that hard! You just take the skin off, right?" He asked. Lightning rolled her eyes.

"I'll help him." Hope piped up.

"Great!" Snow exclaimed, he and Hope then went to pick up the Verschillend, taking it to a place to skin.

"That wasn't a good idea." Lightning muttered.

"Probably not." Fang replied.

The Lindblum had been eerily quiet the passed few hours, allowing Cid Raines a few moments to think.

His original plan, thought to be impervious to the fal'Cie's manipulation, was not as indestructible as he thought. He had been planning for months to overthrow the fal'Cie; he should have known that Barthandelus would be smarter than that. He had branded him a Sanctum L'cie before his plans could even be put into motion.

He knew of the fal'Cie's plan. They desired Cocoon's destruction, and the return of the Maker. They wanted to world to be born anew, and in some cases, they wanted their own demise. They wanted the world to be reconstructed, but to do so, they would need to kill millions of innocent people, people who trusted the fal'Cie; People who worshiped them. If they only knew that the fal'Cie only thought of them as pets, as tools even. They probably wouldn't care. The fal'Cie were the ones giving them life. The people's only worries were the rogue l'Cie running from PSICOM. Civilians were so painfully foolish. The public fears what it doesn't know. Strike down the phantoms before their eyes, and they sleep like babies.

It was unfortunate that Cid's given focus directly contradicted his own plan. But what could he do, knowing that defying his focus would lead him to becoming Cie'th? Well, he would stare fate in the face and say "I choose my own destiny."

It was sad to watch the l'Cie be strung along like puppets- they had no idea that the fal'Cie were watching them the entire time, guiding their every step and ultimately turning them into instruments of Cocoon's demise. Cid couldn't watch this happen any longer. He needed to stop the l'Cie from carrying out the fal'Cie's plan; even if it meant their deaths. He would defy his focus, and save Cocoon, upon countless citizens, and he didnt care what he had to do to make that happen.