A.N. Oh man, you can't imagine what happened to me this week! The worst case is: I lost my pen drive! With ALL my files! ALL OF THEM! TT_TT THOUGH! I'm lucky, that I still have my novel, phew v.v'' and it's a good thing that I didn't write anything the last time (I just proof-readed this, but I don't really feel like proof-reading everything again -.-) Well...I'm kinda lucky that this story was done with the proof-reading. or at least I hope so O.o So well...if there are any mistakes in here...blame it on my external hard disk drive! For not having the latest update! Well, now that it's settled...get on with the story!

Salvation

Chapter 8: Cocoon's Heroine

Once they went through the Taejin's Tower, they finally arrived their destination: Oerba. The home of Fang and Vanille. The two pulsian looked shocked when they saw what state their home was. It's partially destroyed, almost looked like a desert and it was in fact deserted. The only living creatures here were Cie'th. No one said a word. Vanille and Fang were too shocked to say anything and everyone else didn't know this place good enough to say anything about it. The only beautiful thing there were these little lights that hovered everywhere. It looked as if tiny crystals were floating in the air.

They'd hardly entered the village and were already attacked by Cie'th. These ones were much stronger than all Cie'th they'd fought, but together they were able to defeat them. „It's so sad what happened here...", muttered Vanille. „How was it here before you became l'Cie?", asked Sazh curiously.
„Let's talk in there. It's safer." Fang said and walked up to a cabin. Then they told them about Oerba. How it was five hundred years ago. They all listened carefully and before they knew it, it was already dark. Lightning was glad that they didn't need to keep guard, because they eliminated all the Cie'th nearby. They could even sleep on beds and that was a welcome change for everyone.

Sometime in the middle of the night Lightning woke up again. She didn't know what exactly woke her up, but when she was awake now, she could see if anything was alright. Everything was quiet and everyone slept peacefully, but something wasn't right. Hope was gone. This time she tried to remain calm. They were safe here. They'd killed all Cie'th nearby. Lightning immediately left the hut, trying to be as quiet as possible to not wake anyone, and searched for Hope. But she didn't have to search long, since he was sitting right in front of the hut on the floor. He wrapped his arms around his bent legs and sighed softly.

She went towards him slowly, sat down behind him and leaned against him. Hope immediately jumped in surprise. „Sorry. Am I too heavy?", she asked to break the ice and just to say something so that he knew it was her. Because it was so dark that he might not recognize her. Hope relaxed again. „N-no, you're fine. In fact, you can lean on me even more if you want. I know I'm pretty useless...but I want to support you in any way I can. Um...what I'm trying to say is...Wah!" Lightning leaned on him more and interrupted him. She smiled at what he said. He was a good boy. „Then I'll rely on you a little more.", she said. „And stop saying you were useless. We always told you you're important to us. How much do you want us to say that? Have some self-confidence. That's exactly why Alexander appeared." Hope said nothing for a long while. „You're right, Light.", he sighed. „I really should stop saying this."

„What are you doing out here anyway?" Hope shrugged. „I couldn't sleep. I wanted to think a bit."

„About what?"

„How this will end. What is yet to come." He wasn't the only one. „Don't worry too much. Just pursue your goal, the rest will come by itself.", advised the pink-haired woman and felt him nodding. „Okay."

„We should sleep now. Tomorrow will be a tough day."

„You're right." Then the two stood up and went back to the hut to get some sleep before they'll leave again.

The next day, they decided to find some clues on whether if and how they could get rid of these brands. But they found nothing. Moreover, it had become quite cold. Fang said that such weather changes would be quite normal in Gran Pulse. „It's awfully cold today.", said Lightning and rubbed her arms. „They say children have a higher body temperature, right?", said Snow, grabbed Hope immediately and hugged him from behind. „Right! Hope's the replacement heater!", he laughed and hugged him tighter. „Hey! Stop it!" The boy tried in vain to get away from Snow. „Me too!", said Vanille and hugged Hope, too. „Knock it off!"

„I want too!", said Serah and joined them. „Not you too, Serah!"

„Don't be so shy, Hope!", laughed the younger Farron. „This has nothing to do with being shy!"

„Hey, careful! Don't break Hope now!", said Sazh. Lightning watched the events in silence. Then Fang went to them and freed the boy. „Thank you...", said Hope and took a deep breath. „As frail as you are, I thought they'd really break you.", teased Fang and grinned. „But he really is warm, isn't he?", giggled Vanille. „Yeah.", laughed Snow and patted Hope on the head. But Hope didn't like that a bit and backed away from him quickly. „Why don't you heat up with Hope as well?", asked Serah Lightning.

„You're right, maybe I should.", she joked, just to see Hope's embarrassed face. Lightning thought to have finally seen through him now. For him she was no longer a mentor, but a friend. Maybe even like a big sister. „Eh?" Hope looked at her with wide eyes and scarlet red face. He probably thought she was serious. „I was only joking..."

„Please do!", he interrupted her and looked at her pleadingly. „If you're happy with me, then please use me to your heart's content!"

„Uh..." Lightning raised an eyebrow. What the hell...? 'Use him to her hearts content'? Was he serious? He was never so directly before. But it wouldn't hurt to warm up with Hope's body temperature. Besides it's quite normal to keep warm with the others body. It's essential for survival. „Eh...right. Thank you, don't mind me."

Hope nodded several times, to tell her that it was perfectly fine with him and looked at her impatiently. He's awfully eager..., she thought as she gently pulled Hope to her and hugged him. „You know, this reminds me of the time in Palumpolum.", said the pink-haired woman and squeezed him lightly. He really is warm., she thought as his heat transferred to her and then felt that Hope also put his arms around her. However...It feels as though his body temperature is somehow rising...She wondered what's wrong with him, but at least she's getting warm. The others were now long forgotten.

They remained in this position for a couple of minutes and as Lightning felt like she's warm enough, she let go of the boy. Hope looked away from her, but Lightning could still see his face, which was so dark red like a ripe cherry. Maybe he really had a fever...Lightning put his fingers under his chin and lifted his head so that he looked at her. „Hope, do you have a fever? You're really red.", she asked, while laying the back of her hand on his cheek and forehead. „No, I'm fine. I'm just a bit warm, that's all.", he replied and smiled at her.

Lightning had no other choice but to believe him. He wouldn't tell her the truth anyway. What the hell is he hiding from her? „So when you two lovebirds are done, can we go on?", asked Fang and grinned. Lightning glared at her darkly, before they went on. They went along a path that led them out of the ruined village. Then they heard a voice. „You hear that?", asked the soldier and got closer to the voice. The voice was quite familiar and spoke about Ragnarok. „Ragnarok. Come Day of Wrath, O Pulse l'Cie. Embrace thy fate, thine home to burn. That fallen souls might bear our plea. To hasten the Divine's return. O Piteous Wanderer — Ragnarok. Make of this day a brave epoch."

Once they got closer, Lightning couldn't believe her eyes. Hope's mother was the one, who talked about Ragnarok! She appeared out of nowhere and smiled at them. „Mom!" Hope wanted to run to her, but Lightning stopped him. „This cannot be your mother, Hope. She's on Cocoon.", said Lightning, when she saw his confused look. „Look at her. Don't you think she's kinda different?" Hope looked at her and went back a few steps. Lightning took her gunblade and immediately Nora's look became darker and confirmed her suspicions. „You get it now.", said 'Nora'. „There are no gods with miracles to save us, no matter where you look. That's why we have to call one. Destroy Orphan. Save the world!"

„Enough!", shouted Lightning and her grip on the gunblade tightened. „You wouldn't do that.", she said, grinning evilly. „Enough already!", grumbled Snow. Nora giggled gleefully and lit up. Seconds later Dysley appeared. „You son of a...", growled Snow and attacked him. But just before he could touch him, he disappeared again. He emerged a few meters away from them, but Snow didn't give up and ran to him. Snow wanted to attack him, but just last time, he was pushed back again by his shield. „You betray your fal'Cie to chase after dreams and shadows. The world you claim to wish to protect now faces the end of days with no hope of salvation.", said Dysley.

„I didn't think fal'Cie had the means.", said Lightning and looked at him darkly. „Oh, it won't be fal'Cie who destroy her. For centuries now, Cocoon has provided generously for its human inhabitants' every want and need. Coddled them, one might even say. The result being their deep-seated fear and hatred of change and all things alien. Fed, nurtured, and ready to detonate at the slightest spark. The seeds of destruction take root, even now."
„What did you do to Cocoon?", growled the pink-haired woman. Dysley just laughed and floated in the air again. „No matter what I do, the end of Cocoon is near either way! But what of yourselves? Will you enjoy the festivities beside me? Or perhaps..." He raised his staff and flew higher. Then this white owl flew to him and merged with his staff.

Then the staff lit up brightly and blinded them temporarily. And then Barthandelus stood in front of them. „Greet the end here, in the land where it all began?" Barthandelus attacked them and like the last time she sent Serah, Snow, and Sazh away, while she, Hope, Vanille and Fang fought against him. The fight was even harder than the first time, but he was still restricted in his movements, so he was an easy target for them. It took a while, but thanks to their good teamwork, they finally defeated the fal'Cie.

Barthandelus glowed brightly and disappeared and then seconds later he appeared once again in his human form. He really wasn't easy to kill...„The time has come.", said Dysley. The four l'Cie made themselves ready for the next fight. „Allow me to extend my invitation. To save a people beyond salvation, there is only Ragnarok." He tapped his staff on the floor and the white owl appeared once again, flew high into the sky and then turned into an airship. „Cocoon suffers. Release her from the pain.", said Dysley before he finally disappeared. Lightning looked suspiciously at the airship. „I have the feeling that this thing will bring us back to Eden."

„Well, then we should get in and save the world.", said Snow and went to the airship, but Lightning stopped him. „You stay here this time."

„What? But..."

„Fang, Vanille, Hope and I have to go to Eden and we'll try everything to save Cocoon. You'll be save here. It's now up to us to finish this journey." Serah nodded and went closer to her sister. „I totally understand. This is something that only you can do."

„This time we can be the great heroes.", said Hope and grinned at Snow. „You have to grow up first, kiddo.", laughed Snow and patted Hope on the head. Hope pouted and slapped his hand away. „Greatness doesn't necessarily have anything to do with the height.", defended Lightning the boy and put an arm around his shoulders. „But you have no idea."

„She's right.", agreed Sazh. „We should leave now.", decided Lightning and looked at her comrades, who agreed with her. „But it's getting dark.", said Serah. „Then we have the element of surprise on our side. If we manage to surprise them with our attack, we save Cocoon within the next days."

„That's what I call enthusiasm!", said Fang and grinned widely. Then they said goodbye to each other. But Serah didn't want to let go of Lightning and hugged her for about five minutes. „Take care, Claire.", whispered Serah in her ear. „I will. But take care of yourself, too."

She nodded in response and squeezed her even tighter. Then Serah suddenly began to cry. Lightning sighed quietly and stroke her back gently. „Calm down, Serah. I'm not supposed to be gone long, okay?" Then she finally let go of her and looked at her tear-stained. „See you soon, okay?", Lightning said, while wiping her tears away. „See you soon.", sniffed Serah and forced a smile. Then Lightning turned to Snow. „And now to you.", she said coolly. „I've seen how you treat Serah."

„Light—"

„Let me finish.", interrupted Lightning her little sister, who wanted to hold her back, to prevent her from killing her fiancé. She went a few steps closer to him. „When we get back, what's your plan? You're getting married, right?", she asked, while looking at him seriously. Snow sighed relieved. „Man, Light, don't scare me like that." Lightning crossed her arms over her chest and waited for a response. „Yeah, that's actually planned.", she raised an eyebrow. „Actually?"

„Well, as long as you give us your blessing."

„You mean, you wouldn't do it if I won't give you my blessing?" Then Snow grinned at her. „I know you now, Light. You want Serah to be happy and I would do anything to prove you that I will make her happy. I know that my word alone is not enough for you. It's important for me that you see me as a family member." Lightning looked at him thoughtfully. She could clearly see that he's telling the truth. He would fight until she accepted him as a part of her family. In addition, she already saw how protective he was towards her — almost just as herself — and how happy Serah was.

„Don't you let her down, you hear me?" Now Snow looked at her serious. She didn't know that he could be serious sometimes. „I swear to you, Lightning, I will make her happy."

„I believe you.", she said and nodded. It was probably time to let Serah go. She was no longer the little child, that she took care of all those years ago. She was a young woman now and it was about time that the chick leaves the nest. „Congrats.", she said and that was all they needed. Serah immediately jumped back into her arms and hugged her tightly. „I wanted to say that before we leave."

„Hey, that sounds like a good-bye forever." Maybe it was. No one knew what awaits them, once they entered the airship. „It's not.", she said and looked back to the other l'Cie, who smiled at her. „But we really should go now." Then Serah let her go and went to Snow. „See ya, when you saved the world, soldier girl.", said Sazh and smiled at them. Lightning nodded and entered the airship, the others followed her of course.

She sat down on the cockpit and started the engine. Hope, Vanille and Fang were at her side when she brought the ship up into the sky. Just like last time, the airship flew by itself and flew directly into the portal to Cocoon. „They'll certainly attack us, once we're on the other side.", said Lightning as they flew through the portal. „Not when we attack them first.", said Fang with a grin on her face. „You mean we act like the big, bad Pulse l'Cie who want to destroy Cocoon?"

„Exactly. This way we won't hurt innocent people."

„But we have to fight our way through PSICOM troops."

„We can make it.", said Hope determined. „Jepp!", agreed Vanille. „Once we reach Eden, we jump off and summon our Eidolon.", decided Lightning. „We should be there soon. Let's get ready to jump.", said the pink-haired woman after a while and went with the others to the exit. When they finally reached Eden, Lightning opened the hatch and jumped out with the crystal in her hand. Lightning destroyed her rose-shaped crystal and Odin immediately appeared and fell with her into the depths. Hope's Eidolon Alexander appeared, too, as well as Vanille's Eidolon Hecatoncheir and Fang's Eidolon Bahamuth. As they fell down, it looked like they're making an aero bike race and they all landed in the middle of the speedway.

Fang landed first and turned the spotlights on her. When the people realized that l'Cie attacked, PSICOM soldiers and airships arrived the speedway in record time. Vanille landed next and attacked the airships with her Eidolon. Hope and Lightning landed on a higher platform. Once Fang flew below them — followed by several soldiers and monsters — the silver-haired boy jumped down, before she could stop him. Then a monster stopped directly in front of him. „Hi there.", said Hope. The monster reached out to attack him and just at this moment Alexander landed and crashed the monster.

„Cut 'em off!", commanded Hope and then Alexander stretched out his arms to stop Fangs followers. It looked as if Hope could take care of himself. That meant it was time that she and Odin took action too. Lightning jumped, landed on Alexander's shoulder and then jumped a second time. „Odin!", she called and then her Eidolon immediately appeared. It changed into a horse and caught her midair. Then she rode on him along the race circuit and attacked anyone who was in her way. As she heard an explosion and a scream nearby, she looked around in alarm.

Vanille was hit and fell with her Eidolon — which was too far away to protect her — off an airship. „Vanille!" She drew Odin in her direction and told him to run faster. Luckily they reached her in time and saved her. Lightning caught her and when Vanille realized that she was rescued, she embraced her immediately. „Thank you, Lightning!"

„No problem. Just don't let your guard down.", said the pink-haired woman and get her back to Hecatoncheir. Then she attacked all the soldiers and monsters again. With Odin's help, it was almost too easy to defeat them all. They've become much stronger during their time on Gran Pulse. Then the sun sets and Eden began to glow brightly. Lightning was blinded briefly, but that didn't stop her from attacking with her ultimate attack Zentatsuken to defeat the rest of their opponents. Then the four l'Cie gathered back together. „That was some show, huh?", said Fang and grinned at them. „Jap!", agree Hope and Vanille. „Let's get moving before the reinforcements arrive.", commanded Lightning and led the way. The others followed her immediately. Then they heard some noises in the distance. „What's going on?", asked Vanille.

They all went a bit faster and saw that monsters from Gran Pulse were in the middle of the city and attacked anyone and anything. „Where do they come from?", asked Hope, but no one had an answer. Then suddenly a huge portal opened and a Long Gui came out of it. „Now we know it.", said Fang. „Come on!", commanded Lightning and ran around the Long Gui. Now PSICOM didn't even had to fight against four l'Cie, but also with Pulse monsters. That would make things easier for them. Well, halfway. They went on until they arrived a precipice. The road suddenly ended and they had to get down there.

„Let's jump.", said Lightning. „What?" Fang calmed Vanille down and then Lightning jumped. She already saw the soldiers who were waiting for them down there. Just before she hit the ground, she snapped her fingers and her small device created an anti-gravity field, which provided them a soft landing. Once Lightning landed, she immediately attacked the soldiers around her. Then she heard that Hope, Fang and Vanille also landed and that Vanille complained that no one told her that they'll land softly. „You could have warned me!"

„That's how they get around on Cocoon.", said Fang amused. „That's how Light gets around!", said Hope and followed her. Together they fought against a bunch of PSICOM soldiers and Pulse monsters until they finally arrived their destination. The Sanctum. The place where Dysley was. They went into the building and went through a hallway and then arrived at a huge room. And of course it was full of soldiers and monsters that guarded it.

Lightning was glad that Hope could keep up by now, because now they had to be fast, otherwise they would stuck there. But they did well and reached the end of the room. It was different than they imagined. They thought there will be a large gate which led to Dysley, but there was a portal.
„Is that normal on Cocoon?", asked Fang puzzled, as she examined the portal. „No, I've never seen something like this before.", replied Lightning. „We should go through before more soldiers arrive.", said Hope, while Lightning nodded in agreement. „That will certainly lead us to Dysley. It wouldn't surprise me. He brought us here after all."

„Right. We go through.", said Fang, before Lightning activated the portal that teleport them somewhere. Seconds later, they found themselves in a white room. „Where are we?", asked Lightning and looked around. In the middle of the room was a pillar with a statue of a Cocoon fal'Cie. „We're still in Eden, aren't we?", asked Hope. „I'm not even sure if we're still on Cocoon.", said Lightning thoughtfully. The black-haired woman raised an eyebrow. „Where are we then if not on Cocoon?"

„Don't ask me.", said the pink-haired soldier and went through the room. Everything was quiet and seemed to be safe. „We should rest. It doesn't look as if anyone could come here.", decided Lightning. Even if Hope could keep up better now, she saw clearly how exhausted he was.

Once they're all well rested, they went through two other rooms that were identical to the first, until they reached an open door. They went through it and were in a darker room. In front of them was a throne and behind it a kind of pond. So that was it. Now they'll fight against Dysley and fulfill their focus. „Ready?", asked Lightning the others. „Yeah. Ready.", said Hope and the two pulsian agreed. Then Lightning jumped down the platform on which they stood, and now looked straight to the throne.

But there was no trace of Dysley, instead they saw lights just like in Oerba. „Little lights. Just like in Oerba.", said Vanille. Then the white owl appeared again and flew to the throne. „At last, my errant l'Cie.", said a very familiar voice then and seconds later Dysley appeared. He sat on the throne and looked at them maliciously. „Men fight men. Men battle beasts. Cocoon wars with Pulse. There can be no end to such conflict. But Cocoons end is imminent and inevitable. Will you not at least slay Orphan, and make it quick? As an act of mercy?"

„'Mercy'? You mean 'murder'.", said Lightning and looked at him darkly. Thereupon, Vanille, Fang and Hope made themselves ready for the battle. „And Cocoon won't die. We're not here for that." Lightning took her gunblade and held the blade in his direction. „We came for you." Dysley sighed. „Such willful insolence. Disappointing." Then he floated into the air. „You prolong Cocoon's suffering. And to what end? Refusing me but condemns another to face your Focus tomorrow. If you truly seek salvation, you will obey!" He raised his staff again, and in this moment the owl merges with it.

Lightning and the others were temporarily blinded and seconds later Barthandelus stood in front of them. The four l'Cie used the same tactic just as in the last two fights. Hope began to strengthen the group with his magic, Fang manipulated the fal'Cie, Vanille healed them, if necessary and Lightning attacked with her gunblade and magic. As Vanille, Fang and Hope finished their job, they helped Lightning in combat. Fang attacked with her spear, while Vanille and Hope attack with magical attacks. Since they became even stronger during their training here in Eden, it didn't take too long till they defeated Barthandelus.

Barthandelus fell back and sank into the small pond that was apparently deeper than it looked like. „Release...At least, release!", said Barthandelus before he sank into the water completely. „It's done.", said Lightning. „Fang!", called Vanille and then the pulsians made a high five in Pulse style. Hope then looked at her and smiled happily.

Lightning smiled back, but something wasn't right. She had the feeling that it's not the end...She looked up and saw that white owl again. „It's that bird again!", said Hope, who noticed it too. Then the owl flew into the pond, which shone brightly then. The earth began to shake and then something came out of the water.

„A heaven yea. Yet it must fall ere we be saved.", said a voice that's similar with Barthandelus', only deeper. „To frail a shell, and humans should not thrive." The monster that came out of the water looked like a giant sword. On the right side was a dark blue face in the side perspective with a left arm with huge claws.

On the other half was a white monster that was shown from the front and showed with his right hand on another face that's in the middle. A wing appeared on the white monster and behind them was a golden wheel. „Too stout a shell, and they would not die.", it continued, the blue and white monster spoke at the same time, in one voice. „Slaughter and Salvation! Two irreconcilable Focuses we bore. Yet bound were we in a cocoon prison impervious to our powers. And so we thank you, for granting us our longed-for birth."

„Dysley?", asked Hope softly. „No, not anymore.", said Lightning and looked at it, whatever it was, intently. „We are the Abandoned One, born but now to die. Our name is Orphan. By our hand, the world shall know redemption.", it said and attacked them immediately with his claw. „Get down!", called Lightning quickly and immediately all ducked to dodge the attack. Then the l'Cie attacked him with the same tactic as before, and because Orphan was too stable to move or dodge he was an easy target as well. And slowly Lightning psyched out this fal'Cie. The dark side was responsible for attacks, the white side for healing.

They had to fight fast before the white side healed himself completely. Then this thing suddenly floated up into the air and they could see his lower half. It was really a sword and it wanted to crush them with it. Lightning pushed Hope out of the way, but was hit instead. „Light!", called Hope and then she felt the weight on her disappeared again. Orphan's attack was pretty painful, but it didn't kill her. Hope ran to her and helped her to sit up. „Are you okay?", he asked anxiously and healed her. „Yeah. Thank you, Hope.", said the pink-haired woman and stood up again to ran back into the fight.

The fight lasted much longer than the one against Barthandelus, but eventually they were able to defeat him with great difficulty. But Orphan didn't disappear. It just laughed sardonic and floated higher. Then it emitted some kind of dark energy, which forced them all to the ground. „Have you ever paused to consider our reason for making l'Cie of men?", asked Orphan and slowly sank back into the water until its lower half was in the water. Lightning was the only one who was still conscious.

„We fal'Cie are crafted for a single purpose, and granted finite power to that end.", he continued. „With men it is not so. Men dream, aspire, and through indomitable force of will achieve the impossible. Your power is beyond measure. We take l'Cie that we might wield such strength. Through you, we obtained freedom from our bondage. And now, your Focus alone remains. Defy it, and all will be for naught. Cocoon's sacrifice, and that of Gran Pulse as well."

The index finger of Orphan's claw emitted a small energy that looked like a small ball. Then she heard Hope behind her, who apparently suffered great agony. „Hope!", called Lightning, but she couldn't do anything. „Yet, if we but summon the Maker , we will be granted the chance to begin again. All our sins, absolved, and the world — born anew!" Then Hope was surrounded by magical shackles and is pulled into the air. The boy screamed in pain. Lightning could only watch. „Submit, l'Cie! Become Ragnarok! Lead us into the light!"

„Stop that!", shouted Lightning, but of course he didn't listen to her and tormented him further. „Let him go!" Then he looked at her. „Orphan! I'll do it. I'll destroy you.", said Lightning. Then the magic was resolved and Hope fell down. Lightning caught him quickly and laid him gently on the ground. „Ragnarok.", continued Orphan. „The will to guide a world unto oblivion. Can you bear the sin of our salvation?" Lightning stood up and looked at her companions. It's better that she'll take all the burden and not her friends. „You heard me.", said Lightning and looked determined at the fal'Cie. „I said I'll do it!"

„You can't!", she heard Hope call behind her. „I'll be fine! And you can't forget our promise!" Lightning knew of which promise he was talking about, but she would be damned if she let anything happen to him. It would be the best for everyone if she'll complete the Focus, then maybe there was a chance that the others could return to their home. To become Ragnarok she had to arouse her anger. Turning against her friends. As painful as it will be...it'll hurt her more than them!

Lightning raised her gunblade. „Some things in life you just do!", she screamed and was ready to attack Hope, but then something held her back. It was Fang. She'd put an arm around her stomach and held her right arm tightly, so that she couldn't attack. „Back off!", she yelled, but she held onto her tighter. Then Vanille stood in front of Hope protectively. „What do you gain from hurting Hope? We're in this together!", said the red-haired girl.

„This is my Focus.", said Lightning quiet. She'd do anything to protect them all. She didn't mean to go that far. But to become Ragnarok...She had no other choice, she had to fight her friends! It'll help her becoming Ragnarok! „No one's gonna stop me!", she yelled and summoned a powerful lightning storm that threw them all away. She could feel a strong energy inside her, but as her magic was over, nothing had changed. At least nothing happened to Lightning. The other three turned into Cie'th though. No..., thought Lightning, as she looked at her 'friends' in shock. Orphan laughed and the Cie'th stood up and went towards her.

When they were close enough, they attacked her. Lightning couldn't strike back. Even though they're Cie'th, they're still her friends! How could she think that it was necessary to attack them? How could she be so stupid? „Guess I deserve it.", muttered Lightning to herself, and endured all the hits. Then she went on her knees. The Cie'th kept attacking her and then fell on top of her. They were pretty heavy and she could no longer move. Then she heard Orphan laugh. How could he? This was all his fault! Within seconds, an irrepressible anger came up in her.

With all her strength she pushed the Cie'th off her and stood up again. Then she turned to Orphan and looked at him with hatred. Her brand began to burn and the pain was greater than anything she'd ever gone through so far. She went to her knees and cried out in pain. „Salvation is born of sacrifice — miracle of misery.", said Orphan. Shut up!, screamed Lightning in thought and felt how her body changed. Her vertebrae became longer and formed into a tail. She got claws and her face changed dramatically. That was probably the change into Ragnarok.

From this moment, Lightning couldn't think straight. All that was in her mind, was the fact that her friends were Cie'th and that it was all Orphan's fault. Her anger became stronger and she could only think about destroying Orphan. Lightning stood back up and looked at the fal'Cie. „From shattered shards, a new crystal legend will arise.", continued Orphan. Lightning couldn't and didn't want to it listen to it anymore, so she ran on all fours to him. When she was close enough, she jumped up to attack the fal'Cie, but was pushed back by a shield.

She landed back on her feet and roared with rage. „Yes! Let anger be your strength!" Lightning ran to Orphan again and attacked the shield now. She held onto it and hit a hole in it. „Despair! Despair and save us all!" Then she finally destroyed the shield. „Lo! The day of wrath is come!" She was about to destroy Orphan, but something stopped her. She remembered her journey with her friends. Her friends, who were counting on them to save Cocoon. If she'd destroy Orphan now, she would destroy Cocoon instead. Suddenly the strength left her and she fell to the ground.

Her body changed once again. She changed back. Then she was healed. She slowly regained her strength and opened her eyes. Suddenly she was handcuffed with magic and pulled into the air. „Let me go.", said Lightning and was even too weak to growl at him. „Retake the form of Ragnarok. Deliver us that which we have too long been denied!", ordered Orphan and then the darker half attacked her with magic. Lightning screamed in pain, but she remained powerless. As the magic ended, she was cured by the white half.

„What do you want?" This procedure was repeated a few times, but nothing happened to her. Except for the fact that she suffered pain and was then healed over and over again. „Steep yourself in hatred. Let it infuse your soul with the strength it craves.", said Orphan and kept torturing her. Then Orphan was suddenly attacked and destroyed by a powerful magic attack. The magical shackles let her go and she fell down. Lightning got ready to hit the ground, but she was caught by something. „Miracle out of misery. You've got to be kidding me.", said a familiar voice beside her. The pink-haired woman opened her eyes and looked at Fang. Then she was healed and her strength returned.

„Yeah, Light. Who'd be dump enough to swallow that crock?", she heard Hope ask. „Sure, we all had better days.", said Fang and grinned at her as she let her down. Lightning came to her feet and looked at her friends in shock. „You're live. But you can't be.", she said shocked. „Could be more fal'Cie smoke and mirrors.", said Fang. „Light, we're sorry.", said Vanille and came a little closer. „We made you go it alone." Then Fang gave her her gunblade. „Second time now, isn't it?", huffed Lightning and took her gunblade. The black-haired woman nodded to her and she nodded back.

Then she looked at Vanille and Hope who smiled at her encouragingly. „I'm sorry, about before. I have no idea what came over me.", sighed Lightning. „It's okay, Light.", said Hope and smiled even wider. „But where have you been?" Hope was the first who answered her. „Somewhere cold and dark, just thinking about everything that happened up until now. And then...and then it was like—"

„It was like — I had a glimpse on the future. Everyone was smiling and laughing. Even you, Light.", said Fang and grinned. „I don't know. Maybe it was a new Focus or something.", said Vanille hopefully. „You were there, too, Light. Same side. All of us. Together to the end." Then they looked back to Orphan who's slowly crumbling and sinking into the pond. But she knew that it was not the end. They all could feel it. Lightning solidified her grip on the gunblade and went a few steps closer to Orphan. Now she finally had a clear head again.

The others stood beside her, and made themselves ready for the final battle. „You say you want your Day of Wrath, do ya? Well it's coming right up!", called Hope to Orphan. „We can do it.", said Vanille as Orphan had completely disappeared into the water. „I know we can. We made it this far."

„Right.", agreed Lightning with a nod. „Let's make a real miracle happen!" Then Fang took a few steps and stopped right next to her. „Lady Luck sure ain't on his side!", she said and got ready to fight. Then they heard laughter and something came out of the water. It was Orphan in his true form. The white face that was seen previously in the middle was the only one there, as an orb. Behind it was this golden wheel, which moved like a clock every second. It would look really nice if it wasn't their enemy. His eyes opened and it began to speak. This time his voice was distorted and higher than before. „You overreach yourselves."

„No, we overreach you.", said Lightning. „Is that so?"

„You don't believe in anything. You gave up on life before you were even born. Sat poisoning Cocoon from the inside, waiting for someone to come and destroy you. Sure, you think the end of the world is salvation. All you care about is death's release. So take it, and leave the rest of us alone. We don't think like that. When we think there's no hope left, we keep looking until we find some. Maybe Cocoon is past saving, but it's our home. And we'll protect it or die trying! We live to make the impossible possible! That is our Focus!"

Before Orphan could react, the four l'Cie attacked him already. Even though he was surrounded by a shield, once they attacked him all with magical attacks they were able to break the shield. This caused Orphan to change his form once again and now it looked like Eden itself. It was a kind of an oval, which could no longer maintain the shield. This was their chance and they took advantage of it. They attacked him with their strongest attacks and were able to defeat him pretty quickly. That was the easiest battle they fought until now. Orphan exploded and slowly sank back into the water. „We're here to stop him. We've come to save Cocoon, right?"

„Right.", agreed the others. The symbol that was behind Orphan, now began to shine so bright that they were all blinded. A few seconds later, they found themselves back in Eden again. They were back in the building of the Sanctum, but the roof ripped off and they all flew into the air. It was dark and this meant that Eden had ceased to glow. Cocoons energy source was destroyed and now Cocoon fell on Pulse. But not if she could prevent it! Hope, Fang and Vanille flew higher and higher, while Lightning hovered below. „Stay together!", she heard Fang call and then they all held each other's hands.

She could clearly see that the three slowly turned to crystal. Their Focus was complete, but she had something to do, before she could turn to crystal as well. Hope looked around frantically before his eyes met her. „Light!", he cried and reached out to her. Lightning looked up at her friends and smiled at them. Her brand began to glow brightly and showed that it was in the final stage.

But this time it didn't hurt. No, the feeling was actually quite pleasant. Then she focused strongly. She felt her body changing slowly. Then she used all her strength to take as much energy as possible inside her. Thus her brand shone even brighter than before. The energies which she took in were the lights and each Pulse monster in Eden. She curled up and felt how her body changed once again, became bigger and stronger. Her spine became longer too and grew into a tail and she also got two new limbs.

When her transformation was complete, she landed on a roof and roared into the sky. Her present form of Ragnarok was much more powerful than her previous one. She was taller, stronger and had six legs. Then she ran to a good place where she could jump. She jumped off with all her strength and fell to Cocoon's shell that heated up because of the fall and became lava.

She fell into the lava, but she felt no pain. Ragnarok's skin was so thick that it protected her from everything. When she reached the outer shell, she tried everything to hold up Cocoon. She gathered all her strength again and formed a pillar below Cocoon to hold it up. When the connection on Gran Pulse was done, she let the lava flow around Cocoon to create a protective shell. Finally, she took all the energy in her surroundings — especially Oerba's energy — and crystallized herself, the pillar and the lava on Cocoon's shell.

A.N. And this was it. For now! Hehe, there's still an epilogue^^ btw wanna thank Jazz Soul21 and Titania13 for their reviews^^ (they're the only ones who wrote real reviews)

And I'm sure you've noticed that I used two little comics in this chappy. They're just so cute, I had to use them. But to make it fair...here's the link of one of the comics. Sadly I don't know the link of the 2nd comic, but if anyone has the link, please tell me. (btw I have NO idea if he/she's the real artist, but that's the site I've got it from. If some of you guys have the real link, please tell me.)
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Till next week^^ and please review!