I don't think I need to put another disclaimer. Anyway here's chapter 3.
Chapter 3.
On Lightning's 22nd Birthday...
"Come on, you guys, Claire's going to be here in an hour so hurry the hell up!" I was getting very frustrated, and he had good reason to be. It was "Lightning" Claire Farron's 22nd birthday today, and I didn't get it all done on time, he was running the risks of either: a) a slow, painful death caused by Claire Farron. b) severe injury and confinement to a hospital bed or c) being tied feet-first to a ceiling fan and left to hang there for several hours. None of which were preferable or wanted.
"I'd prefer option D." I told myself. "What's option D, Hope?" Serah asked me. "Nothing. Come on, we should try and get this finished." I told her, changing the subject.
A Small Time Gap...
50 minutes later, we had finished up with the decorations and the cake. As we headed to go upstairs, I remembered it. "Hey, where's the fuse-box?" I asked them. Serah gave me directions, and I headed into the basement and flicked all the switches off then I ran upstairs. Finding them, I told them everything was ready. "So now we wait." Snow said.
After a few minutes, we heard the front door open and the light switch flicking repeatedly. We all had to repress giggles when we heard Claire swearing. Then, once I was downstairs, I had to lie flat and crawl into the basement while the others snuck into the kitchen. I flipped the switches on and made my way into the kitchen to the others. Flicking the light on, we scared the life out of her. "Surprise!" We all started laughing our heads off when Snow took a right straight to the skull and crumpled on the floor. "So, do you like what we've done... Oh yeah, I almost forgot!" I told them all, running into the basement to get the cake. Emerging 5 minutes later, cake in my hands, I put it on the table. "Enjoy." I gave them permission to cut the cake and told them to leave the centre of the cake. "Light, your present from me is in there. You're not seeing it now, though. Later, you can see for yourself, what it is." I explained what they wanted a reason. They trusted me and didn't eat the centre of the cake. After they'd finished, I brought out the drinks and 2 hours of drinking and talking after, I got what I wanted: Everyone else drunk. I wasn't planning to take advantage of her, but I knew what I wanted to do, and they all had to be this way for it to work. Snow was drunk and kept embarrassing everyone. Fang was coming on to an embarrassed Vanille and Serah had passed out on the table 40 minutes ago and with Sazh I just didn't know what to say. I took the cake upstairs into Claire's bedroom, and then I came back down. "Light, can you follow me, please?" I asked her as I took her hand. She nodded and when we were out of the room, I picked her up bridal-style in my arms, making her yelp in surprise. "Hope, put me down!" she was squealing at me, hitting me in the shoulders and arms. "Claire, you're drunk. You shouldn't be walking around." I told her, finally getting silence. Taking Claire into her bedroom, I set her down on her feet. "You can get your present now, Claire. Just pull the cake apart and you'll be able to see it." I instructed her. As she did, I thought about how much I had to pay to get this done. Ah, it didn't matter. My thoughts about Light's reaction when she opened the black box did.
Lightning's POV.
I had my suspicions when Hope told me to pull the cake apart and I was confused when I saw the little black box embedded in the cake, but I had an idea of what he was going to do.
Hope wouldn't ask. Would he?
I know I have feelings for him. But would he really ask?
I'll just have to wait and see what Hope does.
"What's in the box, Hope?" Damn. Wrong tone of voice.
Hope's POV.
When she asked me, the way she said it, in that cold, blank voice that she uses so well, it did two things to me. It scared me, but it also made me realize that this wasn't going to work. Leaving the box and ring where they were, I walked away. I had broken once, a long time ago. I barely put myself back together that first time. I wouldn't be able to do that now. I heard her asking me to wait, but I didn't care anymore. When I got downstairs, the first thing I heard Vanille's voice. "What's wrong, Hope?" she asked me. She actually sounded concerned. "Ask Lightning." I said to Vanille, who was actually stunned at what I called her, then I opened the door that led out of the house. It was torrential, but I needed that. It would make sure that Lightning or any of the others would be able to see where I was going and follow me. I needed to be alone right now and I thought of the ideal place. I headed to the Fall of Cocoon monument to be alone.
Lightning's POV.
I went downstairs as Hope left. Vanille asked what me what had happened and I tossed her the box, still unopened. One look told me that she knew, and that was all I needed. I kicked open the back door and looked for my velocycle. When I got to it, I got out my helmet, strapped it on and turned the ignition key. I could guess where Hope was headed, but I couldn't let him know I was there when I arrived.
Time Gap...
I landed 5 minutes away and made my way up, as quietly as possible.
Hope's POV.
Lonely. That's how I feel right now. I guess this is my Fortress of Solitude.
As I got out the Helter-Skelter which Lightning had taught me to use a few months back, on my 16th, I hoped she didn't come after me. For her sake. Once the bullet flies, if it's me firing, I don't miss. I wonder where I'll go for one last time.
I know just the place.
I knew Light had come after me, so I decided to slip away quietly and head back to the others to say goodbye. I silently faded away into the darkness. When I was like this, running in the shadows, I was virtually a ghost. Undetectable.
Lightning's POV.
I got to the summit of the crystal mountain to find nothing.
Where is he!
Guess he's gone.
I'll head back. No point in looking for someone who doesn't want to be found.
As I ran at a full sprint back to my velocycle, I could swear there was a presence in the shadows alongside me. When I got back, I heard Hope inside the house, speaking to Vanille. I knew she'd spotted me. Making no noise, I climbed inside.
Hope's POV.
"Vanille."
"Hope! You came back!"
"Not for long. This is the last time you'll be seeing me."
What... what do you mean! Why are you saying this, Hope!"
"This is the end of the line for me, Vanille. I'm sorry it had to be like this. Goodbye."
I saw her eyes flick away for a split-second. It was all I needed. I spun around and saw Lightning in the process of climbing in through an open window. I blitzed into the living room and looked for ways out. I saw only the windows.
The windows it is, then.
I dived through the glass and landed perfectly on the other side. I had a short head-start and I had to use it. Light was easily a faster runner than me.
"Hope! You're not getting away again!" I saw Lightning rip the window frame clean out and vault over to the other side. I saw her start towards me, Lionheart in hand.
"How, Lightning? How did it turn out so badly? Well, you can ask Vanille what I told her and you'll know what I'm going to do. Goodbye, Claire." I used her real first name one last time before fading into the darkness as she tried to grapple me. I heard her scream in frustration and misery as I walked away.
Now she knows how I feel.
Lightning's POV.
I listened as Vanille told me what Hope had said to her. When she told me about "The end of the line", I knew what he meant.
"Vanille."
"Yes?"
"Can they still fight?"
"Not in this state, but yeah, they can."
"Get them up and give them their weapons."
"Why?"
"Because Hope isn't dying until I'm dead."
When they were all up and armed, Vanille included, they asked me why I'd gotten them up. I decided to be truthful.
"Hope's heading for a fight to the death he knows he can't win alone."
That brought them all to full attention. When they were all ready, we set off.
There will be more chapters. I can't leave it like this.
And Assassin: This is why it classes as angst.
If you're wondering about Vanille, they found a way to get them out of crystal without being crushed by 10 gigatons of Cocoon. I hope you all like it.