Hey guys! Next chapter's finally here. Sorry for it's extreme shortness, but I just didn't want to mix this chapter with the chapter where the main plot starts. This chapter is very important in the story nonetheless.

And thanks for those few reviews. I'm glad you find it intriguing.

On with the story then!

Chapter 2

To become a Leader

-A day after Lighning's 20th birthday-

Lightning, previously known as Claire, entered the main hall of Guardian Corps base. It was a large room with almost to no furniture and with a stage at the back of the room. This large hall was mainly used for announcing important news or hosting army based events.

"Everyone's here," Lightning thought.

Indeed. The hall was crowded with numerous soldiers and officers of various ranks – some were chatting with each others, whereas more experienced and veteran soldiers were observing the crowd with slight anxiety and worry.

Lightning's lips twitched in a small smile seeing the looks of more experienced warriors. She liked people who were serious about their job; serious about keeping someone's safety. Not like certain amateur group called 'NORA'. Lightning frowned at the thought of those amateurs.

Yes, NORA were occasionally slaying monsters and protecting people. But to be honest, they were nothing but trouble. Several times members of NORA were getting in Lightning's way when she was doing a mission, putting both Lightning and themselves in danger. Aside from slaying monsters and putting themselves in danger, they were also causing various mayhem around the city. Nothing serious though. Lightning disliked that group and she has yet to meet their leader.

"Snow. What a stupid name, really," Lightning thought as she got closer to the stage. "I still want to meet that guy Serah was talking about. Need to show him his place."

She touched the handle of her weapon, the Blazefire Saber, in anticipation. It was a habit she developed after she got this weapon. A year after she joined the army, on her 17th birthday. Lieutenant Amodar himself gave this gunblade as a present with words 'I don't know where you were training and what training you were undergoing, but even at this young age you're one of the brightest, fast learning and promising soldier. A genius, if I may say. Today's your birthday and I want to give you this blade – the Blazefire Saber. This weapon is given only to those of great skill and potential. I can't wait to see you doing some great feats out there. Enjoy your birthday, Lightning, and let this blade serve you well.'

Lightning let go of her blade, which was folded into gun mode and put into special sheath, and remembered all the battles she had with this blade. She smiled "It served me well indeed."

"Sergeant Lightning," someone called.

Lightning turned around and, with unimpressed gaze, looked who called her. It was one of the soldiers who frequently accompanied her on her missions, with a one yellow stripe on his Guardian Corps pauldron, which meant that Lightning was above him in rank.

"What is it?" Lightning asked as the soldier approached her.

"Do you know why are we gathered here?"

"I have no idea. Maybe something happened," Lightning dryly replied. She didn't like when someone asked stupid questions. If it was an emergency meeting then only higher ups will know what it was about.

"Right. I thought you may know because you're higher rank and all," the soldier replied and dismissed himself.

"If I knew I wouldn't be standing here with the crowd," the pink haired, purple eyed woman thought.

Lightning made her way across the crowd to the far left side of the large hall. She once again touched the handle of her weapon in anticipation and leaned against the wall and folded her arms, silently waiting when this meeting will be over. While she was waiting she submerged in her own thoughts.

"I wonder how Serah's doing. Probably being troublesome as always," she weakly smiled "Ever since I met Divine Etro things were going for better. My stamina, speed and even strength improved. I could learn things just at one go. That was what helped me to combine my army work and schoolwork. Sounds impossible, but meeting Etro herself sounds impossible as well," she said and looked at her palm.

With a small thought and little willpower she summoned a small electrical current which ran across her opened palm. She quickly hid it by making a fist and folding her arms back.

"Magic. It helped me a lot, especially on my solo missions. And that's where my nickname came from – struck fast as lightning, hard as thunder. And let's not forget I'm proficient at lightning and ice magic. Only l'Cie were supposed to be able to use magic, but I'm certainly not an l'Cie. Or maybe I am? That circular tattoo on the back of my neck and my new purple eyes… Am I Etro's l'Cie? No, I doubt it;" Lightning mused "As far as legends go Etro was goddess without power to create, thus she couldn't make a l'Cie."

It's not the first time she thought about these things. Yes, she was given power, great power, and she quickly developed it on her own. She had to hide the magic from other people, but she wasn't afraid to show her speed, strength and the fact the she learns really fast. She still didn't figure out what she has to do though.

"I'm not a l'Cie yet the facts clearly shows that I am one – I've got magic and increased capabilities, and I've got a task which I have to figure out on my own," she frowned "Do I regret it? No. If it will protect the Cocoon and Serah, I have no regrets in accepting it."

"Ladies and gentlemen!" a loud voice echoed throughout the hall, calling for the attention.

Lightning came out of her thoughts and looked at the stage. It was Lieutenant Amodar himself. The hall immediately went silent.

"Thank you!" Amodar said "Sorry for the long wait. You might be wondering why I called you here today, right?"

Loud murmurs of agreement echoed throughout the hall.

"Get to the point already," Lightning thought. She hated to waste time.

"Let's not waste any time for pleasantries then," the Lieutenant said as he looked at Lightning with knowing smile.

"Tch."

"Lightning," Amodar called "Come here, up on the stage."

"W-What?"

"Come on, don't be shy," the man laughed.

Everyone silently stared at Lightning. The woman didn't even flinch at the stares.

"I wonder what did I do to deserve this," obeying the order, Lightning made her way through the crowd to the stage. It wasn't difficult – everyone were stepping away from Lightning's way, making a clear path to the stage.

Lightning stepped on the stage and asked Amodar "What is this about, Lieutenant?"

"Yesterday was your birthday, right?"

"Yes, sir."

"Well I've got a present for you, Lightning."

Lightning raised an eyebrow "A gift? I don't want to be rude, sir, but why in front of all people?"

Amodar laughed "What? Are you shy?"

"No, sir, just curious."

"You'll see in a minute. Firstly, how long has the Blazefire Saber served you?" Amodar asked.

"For three years, sir. It's the best weapon I've ever had. To be honest, it's my favorite one," Lightning honestly replied.

"Oh I can see that. You're always with it. I sometimes wonder if you sleep with it too," Amodar laughed and Lightning couldn't help but smile as well "All jokes aside," The large man waved a hand and two soldiers came out from behind the scenes.

One of the soldier had a long, simple wooden box in his hands, whereas the other one had a small box made of black, shiny leather.

The soldier with the black leather box passed the box to Amodar and the other soldier placed the bigger box next to the man. They both went back behind the scenes after a quick "Sir."

All humor and amusement gone from Amodar's face, he loudly said to Lightning and the whole hall "Lightning. You've been with us for four long years. Four long years of endless training, missions and fighting. To be blunt, you're one of the best soldiers we have and had ever produced – you're fast, you're strong, you're reliable and always keep calm head despite any situation. All your missions are always total success. Not once there were any casualties when you had to lead a squad to a dangerous mission."

Lightning didn't know where this was going and what it all was about but she was very curious about what's in those boxes.

"For the last year we gave you more and more dangerous missions where you had to lead a squad. The missions were anything between slaying a random large monster spawning near Bodhum or leading a full force assault on terrorist main camp. In last four years you've shown great growth as a soldier, leader and as a person all together. Countless soldiers in Guardian Corps looks up to you and even PSICOM higher ups have heard about you. For the last year we gathered immense feedback on you and almost everyone of them had been good. There were some reports stating your cold-like nature or some mysteriousness, but everyone has flaws. Besides I think it just adds to your serious and no-nonsense nature. After two years as a simple soldier you were promoted to a Sergeant rank. A sergeant at 18! And now, I think, it's time for your another promotion!"

Lightning's eyes widened and she even stepped back, shock clearly evident in her crystal bright, purple eyes. "W-What? P-Promotion?"

"You heard it right!" Amodar loudly said and opened the black leather box.

A dark purple pauldron neatly rested in the box's black cloth. The pauldron had two shining orange stripes. Just like Amodar.

Lightning, still wide eyed, glanced from pauldron to Amodar, and from Amodar back to pauldron, totally at loss of words.

"Lightning Farron, after all your hard work and determination, after countless successful missions, and with agreement of all Guardian Corps higher ups, I promote you to a Lieutenant rank!"

Lightning made some steps forward and with shaking hands took off her old, brown pauldron and threw it to ground. Still with slightly shaking hands she took the beautiful new purple pauldron and attached it to where her old one was. She then realized that she is the first ever person to be promoted to a lieutenant in such an age. AND after only four years of service.

"Word to you, Lieutenant Lightning," Amodar cheekily said and stepped aside.

Lightning stepped forward, her new pauldron on her shoulder, and looked into the crowd. She saw some jealous glares but most of the soldiers were very happy about her.

After a small silence, she started "I'm really at loss of words. Never in my life I expected to be promoted to Lieutenant. Well, so soon anyway," some soldiers in the crowd chuckled "I will only say – thank you. Thank you for your support, for your understanding," after a brief silence she continued "You know, when I just entered in the army, no one believed me. I was only 16 back then. But I made my way through the ranks, I showed that I'm not weak and should be considered as your equal. And here I am, standing in front of you as a lieutenant. I want to say one more thing – I didn't and don't do it for myself. I do it for Serah, my family, and for the city of Bodhum. I strive to keep them safe. And it's an honor and privilege to do so as a Lieutenant. Thank you!"

The crowd was stunned at Lightning's speech. It's the first time they heard her talk so much, so emotionally. On missions she was usually like 'Do that!' or 'Don't get in trouble!' and she never really talked with anyone outside the missions. But everyone knew she cared about them, that she was worried about them when they were in danger. They admired that. Admired that she could be cold, emotionless and strong on the outside, but at the same time caring on the inside. A true leader, a true soldier.

Lightning was honored to keep Bodhum safe as a lieutenant, whereas soldiers were honored to work under Lightning's command. They felt safe that way. They felt safe because Lightning never allowed to die anyone on her watch. The soldiers were sure that under Lightning's command, they get to live another day.

After brief and awkward silence, the crowd erupted in loud cheers and clapping. Some were even loudly shouting "Lightning! Lightning! Lieutenant Lightning!"

Lightning even slightly blushed under such cheers and applause. And she totally felt it "Oh god I'm blushing! What's wrong with me today?!"

"Alright, alright, calm down folks. The poor women gonna faint with so much blood going into her head!" Amodar laughed. Lightning couldn't help but blush even deeper at that. She was caught off guard with this promotion and all her 'mess with me and you're a goner' stature was gone in the wind.

"Alright, now I think it's really enough," Amodar loudly said and slowly everyone calmed down until the hall was dead silent as before.

"Before we finish here today, I've got a present for you, Lightning. Both birthday present and promotion present," Amodar picked the other box from the floor. The one which was much simpler and longer. He gave it to Lightning. "Open it."

Lightning did as she was told and opened the box. There, in another black cloth, a long black and yellow blade rested. It was similar to her Blazefire Saber but at the same time very different. It was thinner and more elegant in design than her current weapon. She picked the blade and her eyes widened and she marveled at the lightness of this weapon. It weighted almost nothing. She carefully placed the wooden box on the ground and examined the weapon.

"It's a gunblade, just like your Blazefire Saber which means it can transform into gun mode in the same way as your current weapon. But. There are some differences – firstly, I think you've already noticed it, it's feather-light. Secondly, it transforms into gun form much quicker, and thirdly it holds much more bullets. Give it a try, swing it few times," Amodar said as he smiled.

And Lightning did just that. The weapon was indeed feather-light, it was like extension of her own arm. She swing it vertically, horizontally, diagonally, going from one stance to another. She fought with an imaginary opponent, evading and counterattacking nonexistent attacks, thrusting the yellow sword forward and then immediately slashing to the side, while occasionally changing the form of the gunblade, with each swing going faster and faster. The weapon was so light allowing to reach speed Lightning never dreamed of. Her hands and weapon was nothing but a blur to other people eyes, leaving a trail of yellow shadow wherever her weapon went.

Amodar wisely took some large steps back, or else if he got caught in this deadly dance he was sure he would be one head shorter.

To finish the deadly dance of swift death Lightning jumped and did some lightning quick strikes in the midair, then spun around her axis while transforming the blade into gun form and landed on her toes in kneeling position, aiming her yellow gunblade to an imaginary opponent in front of the stage.

Lightning wasn't even panting.

Amodar clapped his hands and the whole hall joined him. After a minute of clapping and another faint blush from Lightning, the older Lieutenant said "That was marvelous, Lightning. Such speed, such technique..."

"I love it. It's like the extension of my arm," she said as she transformed the gunblade to blade form and then back to gun form. She took out her Blazefire Saber and put her new weapon in her holster which freely hung a bit under her but. "What it's called?"

"That's the newest model of the gun blades. The Axis Blade. Main feature of this weapon is it's speed and light wight."

"The Axis Blade," Lightning mused.

"Let it serve you well, lieutenant. I want you in my office tomorrow 9am sharp. Now with your promotion you've got more responsibilities which means more work. Everyone's dismissed. Thank you for coming here."

Slowly the soldiers left the hall.

"Can I keep the Blazefire Saber?" Lightning suddenly asked.

Amodar laughed "Well of course. It's your weapon after all. Can't wait to see your performance on future missions, lieutenant."

"Thank you, sir. It really means a lot to me. The promotion I mean," Lightning said.

"Think nothing of it," Amodar waved his hand "You're a prodigy here, Lightning. Your skill is undeniable and I think the promotion will only improve it."

Lightning nodded "Until tomorrow then, sir," and went for the exit.

"Hey Lightning."

Lightning stopped and turned around, her cape-like scarf swaying behind her. "Yes, sir?"

"You don't don't have to be so formal with me anymore, Lightning. Use my name from now on."

"Yes, si-" she smiled "Yes, Amodar."

Lightning left the Guardian Corps building and immediately felt the cold evening breeze caressing her skin.

"Lieutenant, huh?" Lightning though as she looked into star filled sky "One more step closer to my promise to keep Cocoon safe. To keep people safe," she then smirked and headed in her home's direction, touching the handle of her new Axis Blade "Serah's gonna be shocked."

She then stopped and looked back at the Guardian Corps main building.

"My skill is undeniable? But will it be enough?..."

END! of the chapter. Thanks for reading.

As I said, sorry for the shortness of the chapter but it's very important in the storyline. I hope you liked it.