I'VE UPDATED!!!!!!!!
*Gives CPR to those of you who died of shock*
I'm sooooooooooo sorry I left it so long!! But school's crazy at the moment - Damn you GCSE's. Go to hell, and take your BLP study plan with you. I NEED MUSIC AND SKITTLES TO FOCUS DAMN IT!!!!!!
Sorry, I went off on a tangent there.
Also, Serah. I'm actually kinda glad. I've changed Lightning's backstory a LOT now - The other main reason for the long gap. So yes, Serah will be in here. As for Fang, or whatever her name will turn out to be, I'm not sure about putting her in here. What do you guys think? I might shove her in here actually, I need more characters! Oh crap! I FORGOT ABOUT HOPE!!!! Eh, I'll shove him in here somewhere... no idea where though....
Disclaimer: No, I don't own Final Fantasy XIII or Versus XIII. I wish I did though, 'cause then I'd KNOW WHAT HAPPENED IN THE GAMES!!! YES, I AM HIGH ON SKITTLES AT THE MOMENT!!! NO, I DON'T OWN SKITTLES EITHER!!!!
"I'm not going to stay Vanille, can we just get that clear?" Lightning was staring at a warning sticker in the boot of the car, deliberately not looking at Vanille.
"But Light-"
"I'm not staying!" She hissed. "I am going to go back, and I shall fight Phoenix. I've got to fight Phoenix."
"Life's not about fighting, life's about living!" The younger woman waited for a response. When she didn't get one she shrugged in defeat.
All these walls...
Startled, Lightning jolted slightly.
"You okay?"
"I'm fine." The former assassin kept her voice steady. "Just fine."
Yet more lies. They seem to fall from your lips easier than breath.
The crystal, fal'Cie, whatever you wanted to call it. It was talking to her again. Her chest hurt, where her mark throbbed in pain.
Why the hell had she been chosen as a l'cie when the fal'Cie seemed to amuse itself by taunting her? Was that why she had been chosen?
But it had never contacted her when she was this far away from the crystal before.
What path shall you chose?
Path...? Lightning rested her head against the side of the boot and dug her nails into her palm. She had to remain focused, and not allow herself to fall under. Curse the fal'Cie; damn the power they had over her.
She switched her thoughts to Serah. The reason she fought. The reason she hated. The reason she didn't trust anyone anymore...
Perhaps thinking about her wasn't the best idea. Given this situation.
"I still don't get it!" Felix yelled from the front seat. Placido winced and avoided one of his waving arms. "Not that long ago, you wanted to kill her, and now you're helping her!"
"You didn't want me to kill her!" Noctis protested, hoping that sound didn't travel well into the boot. He hadn't heard any conversation between Vanille and Lightning, so hopefully it didn't.
"I'm not complaining, I'm curious!" The blonde shot back, turning his head around to see the backseats.
"Well, I am." Muttered Lexus. There was a slight pause.
"... You're what?"
"Complaining. She could have murdered you then and there!" Lexus turned to glare slightly at Noctis. The Prince blinked.
"I just... Look, I don't think she's a bad person-"
"Yet she'd still kill you if it suited her."
"It's all she knows!"
"Why do you keep making excuses for her?!" He snapped. Noctis sighed.
"I don't think she's that bad. She's a l'cie and a wanted criminal, she's not going to get help from many places. Besides," The Prince shrugged, hoping to have avoided the question. "She's interesting."
"Interesting?" Placido asked, glancing in the rear mirror. "What does that mean?" The silence in the car was stiff.
"I mean... she's interesting."
"In what way?"
"Is this twenty questions or something?" Noctis grumbled, twisting in his seat to look out the window.
"Is she a plant, animal, or mineral?"
"Felix..." Lexus gave the blonde a warning glare.
"Sor-ry! Excuse me for trying to keep everyone in good humour!" He muttered, sinking down in his seat.
Noctis glared at the passing scenery. His thoughts wandered, as they often did, back into the past. His mother, his father... what would they think of what he was doing? Would they approve of him helping people in need, or would they consider him a traitor to their country?
Did it even matter what they would think? They were dead, trapped in Etro's grasp. He wouldn't see them again. At least, they wouldn't be the same. He missed them, and the comfort they brought. He could do with that right now. He felt his loneliness returning as they drove into Tenebrae.
He needed some advice.
He'd been running for hours. He was certain he'd shaken off the chasers, and now he was on his own near the border.
Near Sazh.
It wasn't easy for a man of his size to sneak around, but when necessary, he could blend into the background easily enough.
Right now, he was busy, preoccupying himself with grave digging. At least the soldiers had had the decency to cover the body.
Finally satisfied the hole was deep enough for his friend, he placed Sazh into the grave. He'd been brought up in Phoenix, without religion. Religion taught morals, something they couldn't have.
"Bye Sazh." He muttered, and started to throw the soil back into the grave. A sudden noise made him leap and spin around.
Snow glanced back into the grave, and saw Hina looking up at him.
"Sorry about that." He knelt down and extended his arm out, allowing her to hop on. Hina remained silent as the earth was thrown back into the hole. After it was done, she warked mournfully.
Snow had a feeling that the chocobo knew he was gone. He sighed and let Hina perch on his shoulder.
"Looks like it's just you and me." He muttered, before turning and disappearing into the woods.
The car juddered to a halt, making the sleeping Vanille slam her head against the side of the boot.
"Ow....." She grumbled and rubbed her head. "That hurt." She looked over at Lightning, who seemed to be stuck inside her own head. "Lightning?"
The woman raised her head and glanced at her.
"... You okay?"
"I'm fine." Before Vanille could point out she was lying through her teeth, the boot opened.
"Ow my corneas!" She yelped, covering her eyes. "Can you warn us before you do that?"
"Sorry." Felix beamed. "Noct's gone into the church, says he wants to pray or something. You guys hungry?"
Vanille stomach growled.
"I'll get some food." The blonde grinned and slipped away. Vanille poked her head out and looked around the deserted street they were in. Everything felt like it was dying. She instantly hated it, missing the lift that teemed on Pulse.
"Vanille, get your head back in." Lightning snapped.
"It's all clear." The younger woman shrugged and climbed out, glad to stretch her limbs. The soldier paused before climbing out after her and leaning against the car.
"So," Placido said, unsuccessfully trying to break to awkward silence. Lexus was glaring at Lightning. "How was the trip?"
"Bumpy." Vanille smirked. "And dark."
"The boot's the safest way to get around." Felix suddenly appeared, holding a bag. "Food. Eat up peoples." Hands dived into the bag to grab food. All except Lightning, who was frowning at the small church next to them.
"What's in there?" She asked, pointing to the church.
"Nothing." Placido explained through a mouthful of sandwich. "It's empty. Abandoned and forgotten, no-one goes there anymore."
"It's pretty though." Felix added. Vanille glanced at Lightning and then at the church.
There was something weird about that church... She highly doubted that it was empty. But she knew better than to pry, no matter how tempting it was. She'd leave that to Lightning.
"Do you have any family?" Lexus abruptly asked. Vanille waved a hand back and forth.
"Yes and no. Yes as in they're probably alive, no as in I have no contact."
"Why not?" Felix enquired.
"Long story. Basically, they wanted me to get married – Don't look like that, that wasn't the issue. It was who they wanted me to marry." The silence was clearly asking for more detail, so she complied. "He was pretty stalkerish. So I ran away. They never liked me much anyway."
"A pity." Placido muttered coolly without looking up.
"What about you?" Lexus looked directly at Lightning. "Any family?"
The air felt heavy. Vanille stared down at the pavement. This always happened when anyone asked about Lightning's family.
"No."
"Parents, siblings-"
"I SAID I didn't have any!" She yelled, slamming her hands on the car.
"I was just asking." Lexus muttered.
"Well I've got some advice for you. Keep your nose out of where it's not wanted, and you'll live longer."
"Are you threatening me?" He asked. Lightning remained silent. "I see."
"Anyway, what about you guys?" Vanille piped up with a smile, hoping to break the tension. It worked.
"I got kicked out of my house when I was a kid, so I went onto the streets." Felix explained. "Met up with Noct when I tried to mug him. He beat me up and then hired me on the spot."
"That was one of the strangest job interviews ever." Placido muttered. The blonde pouted.
"That's my line!"
"Where are you going?" Lexus suddenly asked, as Lightning headed towards the church.
"Just looking."
"Noct said-"
"I don't give a rat's ass what he said!" And with that, the soldier marched around the back of the church.
"Best just to leave her be." Vanille said, trying to keep her voice calm. "She has a hell of a right hook."
Noctis was kneeling in a church pew, his head lowered. The church was ancient, forgotten in the city where progress was all that mattered. He liked it this way. It was quiet, peaceful, a sanctuary. Exactly how a church should be.
It was also where his plea might be heard.
"Etro..." He whispered, raising his head up to look at the painting of the goddess. "Please, speak to me. Help me."
A breathy chuckle echoed through his head, making him shiver.
You still have much to learn about how to speak to those of a higher station.
"I apologize your ladyship." He muttered, ducking his head back down.
Better. Now what have you come for?
"Advice."
On which subject?
"The woman, Lightning." The laugh echoed through his ears, full of mirth.
The assassin? The l'cie? The slave?
Noctis winced, remembering Lightning's anger at being called that.
"Yes, her."
What about her?
"... I don't know what to do." He admitted. "I'm betraying my kingdom by helpi –"
May I remind you, Etro's voice dropped down an octave to a growl. That it is my Kingdom, which I gifted to your family centuries ago?
"Yes Goddess." He shut his eyes and breathed out slowly. Speaking with Etro was like playing with fire – You could easily get burnt. "I'm betraying the kingdom by helping her."
Then do not assist her.
"... But I feel like I should help her." He explained. Etro fell silent for a minute.
Torn between your duty and your... Conscience?
"But I don't feel guilty."
Then why are you compelled to help her?
"I... have no idea."
Lightning stepped through a side door and into a cramped room. Tables and painting were everywhere, and she had to be careful not to step on anything.
There was something strange about this place. A pull, an aura. It wasn't just an old church, there was something Noctis was keeping hidden here.
She sighed and rested her elbows on the table. Her head hurt, and the room was stifling humid, making it worse.
She was standing in front of the stand, looking as inconspicuous as possible. When no-one was looking, her hand sneaked out and pulled a hair band from the stand, dropping it into her school bag.
No-one looked. No yells or orders to stop. She waited until she saw an old lady heading towards the exit. Then she fell into step alongside her.
The alarms went off and she ran. The old lady was stopped by security, who probably thought the senile old dear had forgotten to pay for something; it was no matter... She had gotten Serah's birthday present –
Lightning's head slammed onto the wood of the table with a bang that echoed through the room. She jolted and looked up. The smell of smoke, dust and incense was making her drowsy. Making her drift back.
She growled and dug her nails into her palm, before leaving the room through a large door. She entered a large chamber, and felt a sudden cold wind swirl around her. Fear ran up her spine as she pulled out her gunblade. She heard an inhuman laugh, and a very human and familiar scream.
And then it was gone, leaving her alone with the infuriated Prince.
"What," He snarled, standing up. "The hell are you doing here?"
"I was..." Lightning started, before taking notice of the Prince's eye colour. Blood red. Like it had been during her attempt to kill him. She shook her head clear of those thoughts and continued. "I was looking."
"What do you mean, looking?" He snapped, marching towards her. She raised an eyebrow.
Good. You've learnt not to trust me. I think. I hope...
"There's something about this church that you're keeping hidden." Lightning said, keeping one eye on the Prince's fist, which was balled up. If he dared to hit her, she'd hit back. Harder. Noctis faltered, before shaking his head.
"It's none of your business. It's Tenebrae's business, and you're her enemy." He practically spat at her. "Now get out."
"It wouldn't be anything to do with that wind, would it?" She asked. Noctis stared at her, dumbfounded, before bursting into laughter. "What?"
"'That wind'?" The Prince laughed, full of spite. "'That wind' as you so elegantly put it was the presence of the Goddess Etro." Lightning blinked, before shaking her head.
"Bullshit."
"You think?" Noctis smirked. The soldier nodded, her hand tightening on her gunblade. The Prince's eyes were deadly, full of some kind of rage. Rage that wasn't even being aimed at her, just at the world in general. And, while it didn't scare her, it definitely unnerved her. That and his declaration that his Goddess of Death had just been in the room.
"Etro doesn't just reveal herself to mortals." She said, tilting her chin up slightly. Noctis frowned slightly.
"I'm no normal mortal." He hissed, taking a step forwards. Lightning instinctively took a step back, wanting to keep him at arm's length. There was something very wrong.
The door suddenly slammed behind her. The soldier spun around to look, instantly scolding herself for turning her back on Noctis when he was like this. The unnatural wind blew around her again, and everything went black.
She was still conscious. She could feel the wind on her skin, Noctis' hand on her arm, a voice in the air, but she was blind. She couldn't speak, and she couldn't move. A peal of maddened laughter echoed through her head, and something like ice touched her cheek.
I wonder what he sees in you, slave. The voice crooned. If she could have, Lightning would have shuddered. There is much death in your past... Do you consider yourself on par with me, l'cie? Do you consider yourself able to choose who shall die and who shall live?
For the first time in years, she felt real fear. Fear that ate away at her. Fear that angered her, because it made her weaker.
Know this – You are merely a pawn, to be erased when the knights, queens and kings decide that your death will be of most value.
The scream rang through her ears, making the soldier's heart feel like it was shattering.
And the world rushed back at such a speed, Lightning fell backwards. Arms grabbed her and steadied her.
"You okay?" Noctis leant over her, a look of surprise on his face, his eyes now dark blue. "I didn't know Etro would do that." She stayed still for a minute, getting her breath back and thinking hard.
"I'm fine." She eventually said, pushing herself upright. Noctis kept on hand on her arm. "I said I was fine."
"I heard. I just... I'm sorry. You shouldn't have had to hear that..." He sighed and pulled on her arm. "Come and see."
"See what?" Lightning asked. The Prince responded with a small smile and another gentle tug on her arm. With a roll of her eyes, she followed him over to a donation box, a little panel of brass.
Noctis felt in his pockets and pulled out a key, which he used to unlock it. The panel fell away, and Lightning saw what the Prince had been hiding.
"A crystal fragment?" She gasped, bending down to get a better look. The crystal pulsed a vivid green. "This isn't yours."
"I salvaged it." He knelt down next to her. "From Demum. Not like they needed it anymore..." His voice trailed off.
Demum had been destroyed years ago. In a war. Like the one that was starting now.
Lightning hesitantly reached out and touched the crystal with one finger. It seemed to shiver under her finger, as if it was crying.
"You shouldn't lock it up." She whispered. Noctis shrugged.
"Either I keep it, or the Marauders get it. And then we'd all be doomed." He explained. Lightning kept quiet. "Are you sure you're okay?"
"I'm fine." She slowly removed her finger from the crystal. "I'm just fine." The Prince kept watching her for a minute, and she began to feel uncomfortable under his gaze. "If you're done talking to your Goddess, we better go."
"This is wrong."
The man glanced up at his colleague, who was snapping his phone shut.
"What do you mean?"
"We're trailing our own prince." The first man muttered numbly. "The man who will be the leader of our country one day. This is not why I signed up."
"The King has his reasons." He replied, loading his gun. "There are enemies outside and enemies within. It's our job to uncover both types. Now get your stuff."
Vanille was beginning to hate the boot of people's cars. Specifically, she hated this boot of this car. She hated the smell of petrol and the spanner that was digging into her thigh.
She also hated the fact that Lightning was deliberately blanking her. That she was ignoring her questions about why she looked pale and... Dare she say it, scared.
She wished she'd talk more. Until then, she had to keep herself occupied during the journey to the old warehouse they'd be spending the night in, running over the conversations she'd had with the others in her head.
Placido had been employed as a personal assistant, but he was the only decent driver as the group. So he ended up doing that as well. Lexus was a soldier in the army, who was discharged after he'd gotten into a fight in a pub while drunk, which was how he'd gotten that scar. Noctis claimed that he 'needed a bodyguard', even though Lexus claimed he actually made sure Noctis didn't do something dumb. He wasn't often successful...
Vanille grinned. Noctis seemed to be like a teenage girl who took in stray puppies... maybe that's why he was helping them. They were lost animals in need of a hand. She better not tell Lightning that though – She wasn't against punching women if she thought they deserved it.
The young girl took another glance at the assassin, who had squeezed her eyes shut.
"Lightning? You awake?"
"Yeah." Lightning opened one eye and looked at Vanille. "What is it?"
"... Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. As usual." And with that, she shut her eye again. Vanille sighed and shifted to move away from the spanner.
It was going to be a long car ride.
Noctis was staring at the car roof, praying that the car would reach its' destination soon. Felix was snoring in the front seat.
He felt guilty now, after the encounter with Etro. That shouldn't have happened. That was a massive mistake. But... she shouldn't have invaded his privacy, which there wasn't much of anyway. So yes, he was angry. Yes, he had wanted to hurt her, but no, he hadn't meant to hurt her like that.
She had handled it surprisingly well though. He had expected her to be horror-struck, for her possibly even to faint – You wanted her to be terrified.
Noctis groaned and rubbed his temples. He had still not gotten an answer from the Goddess. And now he felt sick to the core of him.
No-one should have to deal with Etro. His family had been ripped apart by her, and her power to corrupt everything she touched. He hated the Goddess. Yet he had to worship and revere her, as she had created his kingdom and the crystal that kept it alive and safe.
It didn't mean he had to like it though.
The box had splinters in.
It was an odd thing to be focusing on, but it distracted Lightning from the other thoughts swirling around her head. They gave her a migraine.
"So will you two be alright here for tonight?" Felix doubled checked, making Lightning grind her teeth. How many times had he asked that question? He wasn't checking on her, she was certain of that. She had shot him after all. No, he was checking on Vanille, making sure she would be all right.
Not that it irritated her. In a way, it was comforting, knowing someone was going to look out for Vanille. Because she wasn't sure if she could stay anymore. Not after Etro. Not after what she had heard – Or rather, what she thought she had heard.
But she was certain that it was what she thought it was.
"We'll be fine!" Vanille grinned. "We've been in worse than this! And at least it's warmish!"
"Good." Noctis nodded, glancing uneasily at her. "We'll be back in the morning."
"Whatever." Lightning sighed and pulled her knees up to her chest. There was a slight growl from the other side of the warehouse.
"We don't have to help you, you know." The Prince snapped.
"I never asked for your help, now piss off!"
"Lightning!" Vanille yelled, glaring at the soldier. Lightning sighed and shook her head. She wasn't going to mess this up for Vanille.
"... Sorry..." She growled. "It's been a long day." She didn't like the look Noctis was giving her.
"Apology accepted." He said sharply before turning to his friends. "We better head back."
With that and a couple of 'goodnight's and 'sleep well's, they were gone. Leaving her with Vanille.
"... You shouldn't have said that." The younger woman said after a minute.
"Too late now. Go to sleep."
"Are you sure you're okay –?"
"I'm fine Vanille. Now just go to sleep."
"But-"
"Sleep." The last word was said with such explosive force that Vanille instantly fell silent. After a moment, she lay down on the crate and sighed.
"I hope you're in a better mood tomorrow. They're just trying to be nice."
"Whatever."
With a grumble, Vanille shut her eyes and fell asleep. Lightning waited for a moment before whispering.
"Vanille?" No reply. "Vanille, are you awake?" Still no reply. The assassin stood up, gathered her coat and weapon, before taking one last glance at the sleeping girl. "I'm sorry."
With that she walked out of the warehouse. On the run or not, she needed some air.
I'm back home. Back in my Kingdom, my birth land, my room, my bed.
I'm where I belong. So why do I feel so uneasy? Why can't I rest? Why won't my thoughts stop spinning?
It's because of those two. The Goddess and the l'cie.
So alike. Both so stubborn and involved with death.
Etro... did you... did you release Lightning from your realm? If so, why? What plans do you have for her? What plans do you have for me?
I need to think.
Damn it's cold.
When we were nine, it snowed. For the first and only time in our lives, it snowed. We ran straight out into the slush. It was freezing, and we had no cold clothing, so we got really ill afterwards. You thought it was hilarious, the amount of tissues we ran through. You made castle out of the tissue boxes.
I wish you were still here. I miss you. I need you.
I'm so sorry Serah. So sorry...Is it really sad that, after a year on FanFiction, I still can't work out how to use these line things properly? Yep? Okay, cool.
Anyway, not sure about this chapter. I think it was okay. Updates will be random, as I've got mock exams and real exams and coursework, and A-level options and university courses to think of and... Yeah, everything's a bit insane at the moment. I'm still trying to update though!
Also, this may be uber cheesy, but this chapter's for Mr Shave, a teacher at my school who died recently. Thanks for everything sir, you were awesome. We all miss you. Heaven's lucky.
Sorry to depress you all guys... I need a joke..... But I can't think of one...
Q: Why'd the chicken cross the road?
A: Because it was being shot at.
................................. What the hell? O.o My brain's weirder today.
Yes, weirdER.
I'll shut up now.
Actually, wait, no I won't. 74 REVIEWS?!?!?!?!?!!? Thank you all so much!!!! Most reviews on ANY of my stories ever! I'm so happy! You guys are so awesome. *Bows down to all of your combined awesomeness, which, combined, it more awesome than anything else in the universe. Ever.*
Peace out mo charas!