Author's Note: First off I want to apologize for the belated update. So many things have been slowing me down recently I kept putting this off until about three days ago. But, I hope the length of this chapter will make up for its lateness. I didn't originally intend for this chapter to be so long, and was considering putting in two parts but decided against it. Also I wanna mention that this chapter is mostly flashback like the first (the next one will be in the present), and it takes place approximately 11 months after the flashback in the first.
Warning: Characters will probably be considered OOC by most. Let's just say it's supposed to be that way because... well it is.
Also since I didn't respond to many of my reviews I'd like to do that now...
christin- You're right the last paragraph is a Xena reference, but it's also one of my favorite greek myths. I included it after I watched the Xena episode on Netflix that mentioned it. As for the OOCness it's probably gonna get worse cause the story wouldn't make sense if I kept them perfectly in character. =)
ALEXISSA2- Yeah I realized afterward that 4 years does seem like a long time for Fang to keep her feelings in, but I hope this chap gives you some idea why. =)
Grimmjuchas- Thank you. =) The characters will probably become more OOC as the story progresses but I guess you could say that's what I'm going for. =) The last paragraph is actually a reference to one of my favorite greek myths.
N- Thank you. =) Fang being in Guardian Corp. was an idea that just came to me and the rest of my ideas for this quickly followed.
Fefisgbf13- Thanks for the story alert. I'll try to do better with my update speed in the future. =)
twistedthoughts- Thanks for the review. =) I'll try to update sooner next time.
BabyCapri1990- I can't thank you enough for the amazing writer considering I'm 14 thing. It means a lot. And I'm very happy to see "Lost then Found" has been updated. =)
Kira- Thanks. =) But I warn you most people are gonna consider this story OOC.
K- Thank you. =) And yeah I've given Fang a bit of a sweet side in this story, which is obvious in towards the end of this chapter. Also your little ideas actually did help. =) Lastly I'm very sorry for how long it took me to get this chapter out.
metacog- Thank you. =) The idea just came to me and I wrote the first chapter asap so I didn't forget it. That's partially why it took me so long to post this- I didn't know what to do with the rest of the story.
Artemis Noir- Thank you. =) I'll try to do quicker updates in the future.
ramenbox- Thanks. =) This chapter is another flashback and it kinda explains how Lightning accepts and later befriends Fang.
jquakers- Thank you. =) As for Serah and Vanille, Serah has a small part this chapter, and they both will be in the next one (not sure if they could be considered a big part though).
alyku- Thanks. =) Hope you enjoy this chapter as much as the first.
morbid diva- Thank you. =) This chapter goes a bit into how they bonded and as for Fang's "move" that won't be until a bit later.
Ok now on to the chapter! Read, review, and enjoy!
"It is always the simple things that change our lives. And these things never happen when you are looking for them to happen. Life will reveal answers at the pace life wishes to do so. You feel like running, but life is on a stroll. This is how God does things." ~Donald Miller
Lightning's POV
I used to be so consumed by hate. I would look at someone and instantaneously pick out every deviance, every qualm with who they are. I guess to a certain degree it was just another of the many defense mechanisms I would throw up, warding off any unwanted companionship. Of course I did it all for Serah's well being or so I thought, but all I really did was isolate her from anything and anyone who could give her the solace she needed... the solace I neglected to give her. In a sense she watched her sister slowly die, starting with the day Mom died, and never ending until Claire Farron became Lightning.
I became too judgmental, too protective, and too cold to everyone who tried to get close to me... even Serah. Gradually all of my "friends" gave up on me. They just accepted that Claire was dead, that she had died that day with her mother. Hell, she'd never admit it, but part of me knows Serah lost hope too. There was a point where I completely crossed the line from being a sister to simply being a protector. The saddest part; I was terrible at both.
Then somehow she came along, erratic, unconventional Fang. Somehow she managed to dig to the very depths of my hopeless, irreparable heart and bring to me the realization I so desperately needed. I spent my life criticizing others, hating them, but never ever seeing the flaws in myself. I never realized how lucky I was that there were people that even tried to care about me after everything I had become.
The most amazing part is how Fang never even knew the good side of me. She only ever knew the bad and somehow despite it all she never gave up on me. Maybe it's because she could see through it all. Or, maybe it's because she could understand. Both of us spend our lives protecting those we hold dear, but who is there to protect the protectors? Maybe she's the only true friend I ever had because when we need someone, we know we can always count on each other, even if it took me so long to realize it...
Eden (Capital of Cocoon), Industrial Sector
The sun shone high over the skyscrapers littered across the Industrial Sector of Cocoon's capital city of Eden. In the current hour pedestrians were littered along the streets, scurrying along to their various workplaces where they'd spend most of their day. Among them, two figures were on patrol. One looking very formal- back straight, senses alert, and facing front. Every movement seemed borderline robotic. The other held herself in a much more confident and leisurely nature. Seemingly bored as she glanced from surroundings to comrade and back again. Neither spoke as they turned a corner.
It was Lightning and Fang's last of fourteen days spent in Eden as temporary patrols. The city was undergoing a lack in control with small robberies and kidnappings occurring on a near daily basis. Authorities were suspecting some sort of cult activity so defenses were upped in case of a higher scaled incident.
Fang for one was enjoying the change of pace in her everyday life, though she couldn't say the same for her partner. Light was perfectly content with doing the same old, boring routine with any interruptions unwelcome. Me being one of them, Fang thought.
Fang enjoyed to mix things up every once in a while. It's why she moved to Bodhum to join Guardian Corp, and it's why she liked spending this time away from Bodhum, where she spent the past eleven months of her life. Oy, that reminds me... how am I gonna...
Lightning glanced over to her temporary sidekick...She's unnaturally subdued today... They had been walking for the better part of an hour and Fang hadn't said ten words to her. To be honest she was getting used to having her around, but that didn't necessarily mean she enjoyed her company. Plus she was a good fighter, definitely better than what she'd expected to get stuck with.
Give it till the end the month Farron, then you can go back to being the loner you were 11 months ago.
Shut up, I wasn't a loner I just worked better alone... but it really has been that long hasn't it... Light had mixed feelings about the end of Fang's training under her guidance.
It doesn't matter, she'll be gone soon and things will be simple again... But, simple doesn't have to mean better... Lightning mentally kicked herself.
Yes it does! Don't go soft now. Enjoy the silence. Eden knows she won't shut up for lo-
"Light?" Dammit...
"Yeah?"
"Ya know... it's almost been a year, and-"
Why now... "And when it has we go our separate ways." That came out harsher than she originally intended.
For a brief second Light saw the hurt flicker across the usual cocky and carefree woman's eyes causing her to instantly regret her words. But, Fang seemingly unfrazzled by her ally's arrogance continued, "Not necessarily, Sunshine. See me and the commander have already talked about it... and well he thinks it's a good idea... but ya see we both have to agree to it... and-"
"Spit it out, Fang" Light said with a frown. She's rambling...that's...not like her...
Why is this so damn hard! Fang thought.
Because you're afraid to be rejected.
Rejected? I'm only asking her to work with me... Plus I don't get afraid.
Ya know... it's kinda cute.
What?
It's sweet... you're afraid she won't want to work with you anymore... Somebody's got a crush.
...You're insane...
Well, yeah considering you're arguing with yourself...
"Fang...you alright?" Lightning watched as the warrior woman seemed to be deciding upon something, expression changing from frustration, to confusion, and then to...anger? Noticing her expression of I-think-she's-finally-lost-it Fang quickly composed herself.
"Huh? Oh...y..yeah!" she said with a chuckle. Light raised an eyebrow unconvinced.
She's finally lost it. "You were saying..."
"Oh right, uh... Amodar and I think we should make our partnership permanent. You gotta admit we make a great team, Sunshine!"
"Ha-ha, funny. No really what were you talking about..."
"..."
Oh joy, awkward silence...
"You're ser-" Just then a blast was heard in the distance followed by several screams. Completely forgetting their odd exchange for the time being, the two women's instincts took over as they sprinted towards the chaos about to unfold a couple blocks away.
Eden Industrial Sector, Base of Velmecian Tower
The two soldiers arrived at the base of the third largest skyscraper in Eden to find a crowd of gawking passer-bys.
"Oh bugger... Looks like the authorities got that high scale incident they were looking out for," Fang said looking up at the same thing as the crowd. From the looks of it an entire level of the Velmecian Tower was up in flames, somewhere around the tenth floor.
"Shit. Come on we need to find who's in charge here." They began to push their way through the crowd that was growing by the second. Near the front doors to the tower a small group of rescuers were attempting to evacuate the tower, hold back the crowd, and figure out what had happened. They seemed to be failing at all three tasks.
"Hey. Hey! What's going on here?" Lightning asked, approaching a middle-aged man calling out orders to the rescuers. He was visibly frustrated running hands through his unruly black hair and throwing the occasional string of swears to his men. When he turned and saw them he sighed with relief that some assistance had arrived.
"Almighty fal'cie, this is complete chaos! We need a team to- Wait you're Lightning Farron and Yun Fang. You're the partners Commander Amodar sent here to help out, right?"
"She's not my par-" Light took a deep breath. "Look, just tell us what the hell's going on here!" They had to yell in order to be heard over the pandemonium beginning to set in.
"Right. Bout ten minutes ago the tower started erupting in flames from a bunch of small explosions within the tower. We thought it was from bombs, but more than one witness who managed to evacuate before the ninth floor flames cut off escape said there's a man up there at the fifteenth floor somehow... causing it. I know, It sounds a bit crazy but too many people have backed it up. But, all we can do right now is wait for more back-up and a team to send up there when we clear the ninth floor of flames."
Lightning and Fang exchanged a look of silent agreement. "Screw the bloody back-up! There are people who need our help up there now! You work on putting out those flames! Me and Light are going up!" Without a seconds thought Fang took several steps back, unsheathed a pistol strapped to her thigh, and took her grav-con unit from her pocket. Lightning kneeled down cupping her hands in front of her, nodding to signal she was ready.
"Wait! And just how do you think you're going to get up there with those fl-" Before the officer could finish, Fang lunged forward, snapped her fingers to activate the grav-con, and combining her jump with Light's help, launched herself toward a thirteenth floor window. Swiftly and gracefully she shot it out and landed through it before turning around and signaling to Lightning that she was going ahead.
"Like that." Lightning said in her usual monotone before snapping her grav-con to life and leaping up to the tenth floor, leaving the open-mouthed officer behind.
Velmecian Tower, 10th Floor
Amateurs... Lightning thought, looking down at the specks that were the rescue team as they scrambled about frantic and unorganized. Lightning heard a couple coughs come through her communicator before Fang spoke.
"Hey Sunshine, smoke's pretty thick up here and we got a couple of injured who need to get out of it. Is it any better on your floor?" She could hear some shots ring out in the distance as she made her way towards the stairs to the upper levels only to see they were blocked of by burning debris.
"Yeah, smoke's thin here. Tenth floor. Shoot out any windows up there. Anything to clear out some of that smoke." She made her way to the open window in which she came in. She put the comm back in her hip satchel, and using her anti-grav unit began leaping up floor by floor with a swift grace only she was capable of.
"Way ahead of ya, Sunshine," Fang's cocky tone emitted from her comm. just as she flipped onto the thirteenth floor.
"Sure you are," she said to the ever-confident Fang, who stood their smiling at her comm in anticipation of her ally's response. Fang spun around startled for only a brief instant.
"Oho, you're too good, Sunshine."
"We need to get these civilians out of here."
"Right...But, we can't. Stairs are blocked. Smoke's startin' to clear though; we need to check the higher levels."
"Alright." She turned towards a the small group civilians, none of which looked to be injured too severely. "Hey, everyone listen up, stay low and out of the smoke, cover your fa-" She was interrupted by the booming voice of a loudspeaker.
"Any civilians who are trapped, hold tight. Help is on the way. A rescue team is being sent up now to evacuate any remaining survivors. I repeat a rescue team is on their way."
"You heard the man," Fang said to the group. "Hold tight. Help's on the way. We're gonna go up and look for any more survivors." The group mumbled consent as through the clothes that covered their faces. As the duo turned towards the window to reach the next floor one of the said civilians cried out.
"No! Don't! there isn't anyone alive up there! They're all dead. He killed them all. He would have gotten me but-"
"Whoa, ma'am calm down. Who? Who did this?" Fang put a comforting hand on the shoulder of the terrified woman.
"I...I don't know. He...he wears a cloak, and the fire. He was shooting fire from his...his hands! And the screams! Oh God! There all dead he killed them!" Fang and Lightning exchanged a look as the crazed woman began to sob.
What the hell is going on here?, Lightning questioned. "Let's go."
"Right." They quickly backed towards the window and using their grav-cons reached the fourteenth. They walked into the main hall of the level, gasping at the sight of the atrocity before them.
Oh Eden, what happened here...
The hall was entirely fire free, with thin wisps of smoke spiraling about the ceiling. But despite the lack of flames the hall was littered with bodies. Charred and blackened husks of what they once were. They took tentative steps into the hall avoiding stepping on any of the remains.
"Light w-," She paused. "Light do you hear that?"
"Hear what?" She stopped and tried hard to listen over the pounding of her quickening heart.
"Something's not right..." Fang took several quick steps back, staring the door at the other end of the hall.
"Just figuring that ou-"
"Down!" Before she could finish Fang tackled her, covering her body with her own as the door across the hall exploded in fire and flames. Once the sudden burst subsided the two women jolted off the floor, unsheathing their weapons. Lightning flicked blaze-edge to its gun form, holding it out towards the dissipating explosion.
Fang glanced at Lightning. "Light, you okay?" she asked, holding her spear at the ready.
"Yeah." She stole a quick glance at Fang noticing a nasty burn covering the length of her left arm. "Fang, your arm-"
"Is fine."
That could have been me... "Thanks." Fang looked at her curiously.
"For?"
"For cov-" She was interrupted by a low laugh as a cloaked silhouette emerged from the smoke. The two women tensed as they held their stances, weapons pointed towards the approaching figure.
"What do we have here?" From under his hood, his visible lips stretched into a smile.
"Who are you? Did...you do this?" The man smile turned into a grin before he pulled off his cloak with inhuman speed, a silver broad sword now in his hands.
Lightning fired three shots, all of which were dodged with extraordinary speed. But, the man wasn't approaching. He stood over six feet tall, but he was lean. His pitch black hair flowed well beyond his shoulders, and he had piercing eyes the color of gold. He was covered in a black leather body suit that would provide little protection from their weapons.
If I could get one hit in..."Who are you?" Lightning repeated the question, taking note that this "man" looked no older than twenty.
His cold gaze turned on Lightning, sending a shiver through her spine. "I, Lightning Farron, can and will kill you in... well," he said with a laugh. "Whenever the hell I feel like it because there is nothing you can do to stop me!" In a heartbeat the man closed the gap between them grabbing Lightning and throwing her in the direction from which he came. Fang attacked with her spear, but in a matter of seconds she was landing on her feet across the room with Lightning.
When they turned toward their opponent he was already there sending a swift kick to Fang's ribs, slamming her into a wall. Dodging everything blaze-edge threw at him, red energy began swirling around his hands. From it he sent a wall of fire towards Fang. She narrowly avoided it adding an excruciating burn on her calf. It also opened up a gapping hole in the tower's wall, revealing the street below.
The man held the sword but did nothing with it, he simply twirled around Lightning's strikes with unbelieveble grace and skill. He elbowed her in the ribs causing her to drop blaze-edge. With his free hand he grasped her throat and spun her towards the open gap in the structure, her feet dangling over open air.
No! Fang crawled towards them, unable to get to her feet.
"You want to know who I am?... I am the darkness... I am sovereign... and the world will see me again." He smirked, his tight grip was cutting off her air as she struggled to stay conscious. "Goodbye, Claire." He released her limp body to the world below.
"No!" Fang was struggling to get to her feet, ignoring the pain. The man turned on her, a wicked gleam in his eyes and a smile on his lips. The warrior woman rose unsteadily, the pain beginning to numb. The golden-eyed man simply watched as she, without hesitation, took a leap of faith after her fallen comrade.
Fang's grav-con was destroyed and she knew it. What she didn't know was if the currently unconscious Lightning's was. And if there was any chance that Fang could get to her and save her it would be well worth it, hence the leap of faith.
Shit, this'll be a close one...
Fang reached Lightning several seconds before they hit the cold, hard cement below. By the time she retrieved the gravity unit and got it to sputter to life, through multiple snaps and swears, time of impact had turned into about three seconds. Fang managed to slow their fall, but could not stop it.
Lightning took the brunt of the fall, landing on her back. Fang landed on her side, but before even registering any of her own injuries she spotted the still unconscious Lightning a few feet away and began dragging herself over to her. She cried out as the slightest attempt at movement sent excruciating pains throughout the length of her body.
"Light!" The woman gave no response. Dammit Light! Wake up! Gritting her teeth and ignoring the pain Fang continued pulling herself towards the other woman.
The pain coursed through her entire body like a raging fire, but the sight of Lightning laying helplessly on the ground, kept her going. It was only a few feet, but by the time she reached her it felt like she'd crawled for miles.
"Light," she shook her shoulder receiving no response. Her fingers probed her neck for signs of a pulse but there was none to be found.
No, no! Light don't leave me! Any recognition to the searing pains burning through her were completely forgotten. She felt the sting of tears in her eyes as she positioned the limp body for CPR.
Lightning's lips were dry and chapped but for the short instants in which they came in contact with hers, Fang was willing to believe she had already died and gone to heaven. She tastes like honey...
As she began chest compressions on Lightning her own body was beginning to go numb. She didn't care. All she cared about was saving Lightning, breathing life into the woman she loved because losing her would be like losing a part of her soul.
Fang's eyes and heart betrayed her as the tears that had been building in her eyes, obscuring her vision, spilled over. Yun Fang hadn't cried since she was a child, but the thought of losing Lightning and the sorrow that would follow was just too much.
Fang breathed into her again, watching as it made her chest rise then fall, rise then fall. No response came.
She's dead... she's not coming back.
No! She is not dead! I won't let her die.
A sob escaped her lips as she hit Lightning's chest with her fist. "Wake up!" In desperation her fist fell to Light's chest again, this time a gasp for air emitted from Lightning.
"Light!" Fang pulled her into her lap.
"Fang...," she groaned before her eyes started to flutter shut again.
"Hey, hey I'm right here. Stay with me, Light. I need to tell you something." She was struggling to keep her eyes open.
"Light you need to keep your eyes open. You need to keep 'em open cause I love you Lightning. Do you hear me? I...I love you." Fang watched as her eyes went wide for a second. She opened her mouth to speak, but she stopped as her eyes fell shut again.
No, no, no, no. "Light?" Her voice trembled as her hands went to straddle her head. The feel to wet, blood soaked hair causing her an agony such as she'd never felt before. Her fingers searched her neck, and she calmed at the feel of a slow, rhythmic heartbeat under fingertips.
Knowing Lightning would be okay, at least for the time being, Fang sat back, beginning to register the unbearable aching in her muscles. As she allowed the blackness consume her, she licked her lips. The sweet taste of honey lingering there.
Eden Hospital, ICU
Lightning awoke to an all to familiar beeping of machines. Just like when Mom died... Before she even opened her eyes she knew she was in the hospital, a fact that startled her.
How did I get here? More importantly when can I leave? She opened her eyes trying to remember the events that led to her admission. Her vision was fuzzy, but she made out a figure sitting in a chair by her bed. Whoever it was was bent forward sleeping with their head resting on the edge of her bed.
As her vision cleared she realized it was Fang. Fang... She vaguely remembered being in the burning Velmecian Tower searching for survivors, but other than that there was nothing... except Fang. She had been telling her something, something important, that much she remembered. But what happened?
Lightning frowned noticing the burn wrap on Fang's left arm. She looks so tired... I wonder where-
"Light!" came Serah's excited whisper as she caught sight of her big sister awake. Oh there she is. Serah moved to her bedside and took her hand. "How long have you been up?" She whispered so she didn't wake Fang. When Lightning didn't answer she noticed she was looking at the warrior woman. "You should probably wake her up. Did you know she hasn't left your side for more than a few hours for the entire week you've been in here?"
"What? A week?" Light asked keeping her voice low.
"Yeah. Light you were in a coma. Did you know that Fang saved your life? They said an explosion knocked you out, and you fell from the tower. She actually jumped and saved you with that gravity thing. You hit your head real bad and she got you breathing again before she passed out too. And that's how they found you two- passed out on the sidewalk."
"She...did that..." Serah nodded. After the way I've treated her... I'm an ass. "And she's been here every day?"
"Yeah. She's probably even been here even more than me."
"Shouldn't she have been working?"
She chuckled. "She was supposed to go back three days ago actually. But, she refused." A smile played across her lips. "Amodar got pretty pissed, but Fang kept saying she wouldn't work while her partner was in the hospital."
Lightning smiled sadly. I... I can't believe she'd... after I treated her so badly... "What happened?"
"Amodar wouldn't fire her and she knew it. He was going to suspend her without pay, but he ended up giving her temporary leave instead." Both sisters looked at the sleeping beauty approvingly. "Her loyalty's just... amazing."
Light smiled. A true, genuine smile. She'd only realize later it must have been the first time in years. "She's just stubborn."
"Did you just smile? What have they got you on?" Serah said with a laugh.
To Lightning's left, Fang stirred and mumbled. Clearly still half asleep she leaned back in her chair slowly.
"We were just talking about you." Lightning said matter-of-factly.
"Were y-" Her eyes shot open as she registered the owner of the voice. "Light! Serah, why didn't you wake me up!" To Lightning, "How long have you been up? Err, more importantly how are ya feelin'?"
Lightning's felt a pang in her heart at the sincerity of Fang's words. She was truly concerned for her. I. Am. An. Asshole. "Not long... and probably as bad as I look."
Fang smirked. Then you must be feelin' pretty damn good... "Glad you're back, Light," she said, any hint of her usual sarcasm absent from her voice.
Yep. Complete ASSHOLE. Light nodded. An awkward silence began to spread between the three women until Lightning broke it. "Fang... I... I'm sorry."
"What for, Sunshine?" She asked skeptically.
"For saving my life... Especially after I've treated you so badly. I'm sorry."
"You... you remember that?" Does she remember me telling her I love her?
"No," she said shaking her head. "Just bits and pieces. Serah filled me in though."
Fang's heart sank. How will I ever be able to tell her again... It was hard enough the first time... She found herself unable to respond, the words stuck in her throat. Luckily Lightning continued.
"Fang... I realize your training's over now. But I wanted to know if the offers still open... You still want a partner?"
Fang smiled sadly. I'll never be able to tell her... "Of course," she replied without hesitation. She could feel her eyes sting with the threat of tears. I can't say no to you...
Lightning's POV
Neither of us remembered exactly what went down in that tower, but we knew there was someone up there, someone who caused the explosions. The same someone who almost killed us. Of course whenever we mentioned it to our superiors all we got were evasions and excuses, all the signs of a shitty cover-up. But there were no attacks in three years now so I guess it's not important, whoever it was is long gone by now.
Over the following weeks I continued to realize just how twisted I'd become, and how much I owed Fang for... well everything. That day in the tower she showed me what it was to be strong. What it was to have a true friend- something I never was... and never had. Our partnership and our bond began that day and has done nothing but intensified in the three years since then. In a philosophical sense, Lightning died at that tower while Fang breathed new life to Claire, and even to this day I don't think there's anything I can do to thank her enough...
Author's Note: Phew, that was the longest chapter I've ever written. Though after reading it, it's not quite as long as I first thought. Anyway tell me what you think. I know it's starting to take a bit of a darker tone that I originally intended, and you all were probably inclined to believe, but it won't be too sad...I think. Also keep in mind this is my first time writing action (I don't have that much writing experience because I'm only 14) so don't be too harsh. But, don't be afraid to speak your mind!