So hi guys, and thanks for tuning into the next chapter of NR! :3

Thanks again to my reviewers: Mylaervain (and the HG movie was good? Sweet, I'm excited now) and OscarMerrinoz96! You guys are awesome.

And to Oscar - Yeah, to be honest, I can't really see Lightning with anyone at all either, but, I realized that for a certain (and very important) plot point Light needed to have her "someone" and I'd rather that someone be Hope (at least that would be believable, based on their in game interaction) than an OC or something. So I totally understand where you're coming from - like I said, I didn't have it planned until I worked out that particular plot point with my friend and I realized I needed it.

Don't get me wrong though guys, I thought the LightxHope stuff in game was terribly cute - I just find the age difference a little awkward, especially since she's older. xD Oh well, I'll figure out how to portray it somehow.

Anyways, enjoy as always! (:

Chapter 18: Flight

Lightning followed the man who called himself Yangt'zu into the centre of the village. One quick look around told her that this wasn't an Oerba, the village so ready to take on Cocoon's might. There wasn't any technology as far as she could see - the people lived in rough wooden houses and she didn't notice a gun in sight. Is this why they didn't participate in the War of Transgression? Because they couldn't keep up with the technology? Or...

But she didn't have time to ponder about it as Hope stumbled and bumped awkwardly into her back. She closed a hand on his arm and dragged him upwards.

"Thanks," she heard him mutter quietly. Letting go of him, Lightning let out a small huff to show him she'd heard. She didn't take her eyes of the curious people that were watching them, nor did she let go of her omega weapon with her other hand. She didn't care if the children and their mothers shied away from her, eying her with sullen suspicion.

She fixed her eyes on the white cape of Yangt'zu as he walked ahead of them. She didn't like the fact that they were surrounded by soldiers, and she definitely didn't like the possessive looks he was giving her. She shuddered inwardly in disgust, and fixed her glare on his back again. Just what does he want... and why does he have soldiers surrounding us like we're captives?

Shaking the suspicious feelings from herself, Lightning focused her gaze on her sister, huddled next to Snow. She looked more relaxed then Lightning felt - perhaps she didn't know, or feel anything wrong.

But they were arriving at the steps of the temple, and she shoved her feelings behind a passive expression. The lighting was dim inside, but she could make out Yangt'zu with a young woman dressed in white beside him. The seeress he mentioned? She felt the woman's gaze lock onto her - the clear amethyst eyes fixed on her with an intensity that was impossible to look away from. Her long black hair was done in a bun at the back of her head, and she held a clutch of prayer beads in one hand. The voice was soft, but instantly, Lightning knew it held the authority of a woman who was used to leading her tribe.

"Your name is Lightning, isn't it." It wasn't a question, and she flinched back a little. She heard the sharp intake of breath behind her, and she narrowed her eyes. She knows... my name?

"I saw you... long before you set foot on Gran Pulse. Your fal'Cie is Anima. And that goes for your friends as well. You were fated to save Cocoon long before your footsteps were ever set on that path."

Lightning gazed at the woman under hooded eyes - the woman didn't seem to be looking at her anymore, but staring at the moonlight that shone through the open window in pale shafts. She tightened her grip on her gunblade - she had no intention of lowering it until she'd gotten the answers she needed.

Yangt'zu spoke. "This is Xue, our seeress." She felt Snow move up from beside Serah to stand beside her. One quick glance at his face told her he was thinking along the same lines as her - he was looking at Yangt'zu with the same look he'd looked at Barthandelus with.

"Alright. Want to tell us why exactly we're here?" Snow raised a gloved fist.

But it was Xue who replied. "You want to stop the Eclipse, don't you. But you'll need more answers than you have."

"And you can give them to us?" Lightning tried not to sound contemptuous. The woman nodded. She narrowed her eyes again - there was definitely something not right about the whole get-up. If I were them, I'd let me know as little as possible. Who knows that they have to gain from the Eclipse?

"Provided you cooperate with us, of course." Of course there would be a catch - I knew it. Yangt'ze opened his arms in a gesture of what he might have thought as friendship, but only reminded her horribly of Barthandelus. She shuddered inwardly again, trying to avoid his gaze. Lightning liked him less and less with every passing moment, and the desire to literally run away and hide was strong - her skin crawled whenever he looked at her.

"And what's the deal with cooperation?" She didn't even bother keeping the anger out of her voice - she should have suspected it earlier. Yangt'zu narrowed his clear brown eyes at her - clearly not liking her response.

"You keep Xue safe from the same people who are after you... and you fight with our tribe." She exchanged a glance with Hope and Snow in turn - hesitation was clear in both their eyes. She was glad Hope did the answering this time - Lightning didn't think she had much more self control over her temper.

"We'll have to think about that." She saw Yangt'zu make a move towards them - she flipped her gunblade into gun mode, just in case he was going to try something, and she moved backwards until she could hear Serah just behind her. Xue made a small motion to stop the man, and murmured something quietly that she couldn't hear.

His expression relaxed into something more mellow, and he gestured upstairs. "Of course, feel free to use any of our accommodations." Trying to shake off the uneasiness at his sudden pacifying expression, Lightning trailed after Serah and Snow with Hope as they followed one of the attendants. She could tell Hope was trying to catch her eye - but she didn't dare voice anything while Xue and Yangt'zu were still in earshot.

Somehow... I know they know more than they're telling us. And we can't afford to let them lead us around like cattle on nose rings.

Yangt'zu... just what are you hiding?

Serah flopped down on the bed in the room she was sharing with her sister - from her spot she could see out the window at the cloudless, moonlit night sky. It was good to actually be sleeping under a roof again. Evidently, her sister didn't think so - Lightning was standing with her arms crossed by the doorframe to the bathroom.

"Claire, why do you look so... I don't know... upset?" She heard her sister huff.

"I'm not upset, Serah, I'm suspicious." Lightning turned her head slightly towards her, pink hair glinting in the moonlight.

"Suspicious? Claire, you don't really think..." she started, careful not to look at Lightning's expression - she was wearing the soldier expression again and her brows were knitted tightly together in thought.

"Yes, Serah, that's exactly what I do think." Her sister moved over to sit on the other bed, putting down her omega weapon. Lightning lowered her voice, but her blazing turquoise eyes were just as intense as if she were in battle right now. "Maybe you didn't see it, Serah, but I did. The way he looked at me, the way they asked for help. There are more than just a few strings attached to this, and if he thinks he can use us to get what he wants, well, that's not happening."

"Claire..." Serah lowered her voice to a quiet tone. "Couldn't you tell? He's desperate to save Xue." She saw her sister fix her intense blue gaze on her, shock clear in the cerulean irises.

"How can you tell?" Lightning's voice was hard and cold, like she didn't believe her words.

Serah shifted her gaze to her sneakers. "Well, just by the way he introduced her. He's obviously very close to her, and well..." Her voice trailed off, and she risked a glance at Lightning. Her sister had crossed her knees and was fiddling with her weapon.

"Maybe, Serah, but he also clearly has a use for us. We were all l'Cie, and from the way they all talk about it, apparently all of you are still." Shrugging, Lightning lay back on the bed and turned so her back was facing Serah.

"Uhm, Claire?" She ventured at reaching out to her sister again.

Lightning hummed to show that she'd heard, not bothering to turn around.

"What are we going to do now?" She hoped she didn't sound desperate; Claire was only going to worry about her again if she did.

"We wait for their answers and leave, of course," came the muffled reply. "Go to sleep, Serah, it's going to be another long day tomorrow."

"Okay..." Only she didn't want to sleep. She didn't like that Claire so easily didn't trust the Farseer Tribe, and how she couldn't see that Yangt'zu was only trying to protect Xue. Maybe there were other intentions of 'using them', as Claire had put it, but she thought it was pretty obvious the Tribe Leader wanted to protect his seeress.

When the light breathing from her right had steadied - Serah was sure her sister was asleep now, she quietly tiptoed to the window, sitting on the window ledge. From here, she could see Cocoon - it was really only a tiny pea sized, glimmering thing from there - and the sight of it made her feel a little better, almost like she was protected by their former home.

She didn't know how she was going to convince her sister that the Farseer Tribe wasn't really a threat, but she knew she had to do it. And it wasn't just Claire, it was everyone else too. Before they did something they'd regret and have it kick them in the behind somewhere down the road. Serah let out a sigh, playing with her engagement necklace, fingering the delicate contours of the smooth metal.

Maker... we'll be alright, won't we?

The next morning hit her in the face as Lightning opened her eyes to bright sunlight. Serah was nowhere to be seen... Probably with Snow. Pulling herself up, she raked her hands through her cherry coloured hair, smoothing out the tangles.

Grabbing her weapon off the floor, she stuffed it in its holster and started down the hall outside the room. Hope was standing outside, clearly having waited for her for awhile, an amused expression on his face.

"Sorry, I kept you waiting," she muttered quietly.

"No, Light, you need your sleep. Snow was just joking about how for once you were sleeping in." His voice held the faint tone of a tease in it, and she let out a huff.

"I don't want to know what that oaf thinks, got it?" Brushing past him, she started down the stairs.

"Hey, Light, wait! I didn't mean to-" His surprised, abrupt voice came somewhere behind her, and she stopped, turning around with one hand on her left hip. Poking a finger in his forehead, she smirked slightly at the surprised expression on his face.

"I get it, okay?" The small giggle reassured her a little - it was nice to see him in a good mood. "Come on, that idiot is probably downstairs and just waiting to yell at me." She curled her gloved fingers into a slim fist. He'd better not be. Unless he wants another Water in his face... and this time I won't miss.

Downstairs, she was lightly embraced by a mess of light pink hair, and she quickly returned the embrace before brushing Serah off of her. Footsteps coming from the main hall made her turn around, and she saw Snow tense beside her, big hands curling into fists.

"Ah, so you're up. Come, have you thought about our proposal?" She didn't recognize the man, but by the way he was dressed, she assumed that he was one of Yangt'zu's advisors. Exchanging a glance with Hope and Snow, she saw her own conviction mirrored in their eyes. A light poke in her back made her turn to her sister.

"Claire... I told you last night..." Serah's voice almost had the tone of a whimper in it.

"I know what you said, Serah," she snapped back impatiently. "But we don't have the time or energy to worry about other people when we have to worry about ourselves."

"But Claire..." Serah didn't get to finish her sentence before Snow wrapped his arms around his wife, murmuring something to her that Lightning couldn't catch. It didn't matter though - if Snow could convince Serah better than she could, then by all means he was welcome to. That's one thing he's better at than me... sometimes.

Realizing that the man was still waiting for them at the end of the hall, she clicked her tongue. Snow pulled a still reluctant looking Serah after him, and nodded at her. Pulling Hope after her, Lightning started down the hall and was a little relieved when she heard more footsteps behind her. Good.

The sunlight in the main entrance hall was blinding, and she had to shield her eyes for a few moments as they adjusted to the light. She could make out the figures of several more advisors, Xue, and of course, Yangt'zu himself.

Yangt'zu didn't look happy - it was obvious that he'd been waiting for awhile; suddenly, Lightning was glad she'd slept later - anything to make him feel more inferior. Probably thought we'd be up at the crack of dawn begging for answers. She let out a quiet snort. Fat chance.

"So, my friends. Have you thought about my offer?" She hated the way his eyes lingered on her, trailing over her form. Just what the hell do you want from me?

"Yes," she hissed back. "Just what do you mean by 'cooperating'? I want the details." The man let out a sigh, and motioned for them to sit, like his advisors where. She had no intention of moving herself to a position where he stood above her though, and merely crossed her arms over her chest, waiting. She felt Hope tense beside her, and the scrunch of leather somewhere behind her on the left told her Snow was ready for a fight if it came to it. Serah hadn't made a sound - she guessed her sister wasn't happy about the way she was dealing with things. But this is why you don't make the decisions, Serah. You're too kind to everyone to see past their exteriors.

"As I stated last night, you will join our tribe in the fight against the Eclipse, and you will help us defeat those who are after both of us. It makes sense to join forces against a common foe, does it not?" Maker, she hated the relishing way he spoke, like she was a little kid who didn't see that one plus one equaled two. She could see that he was fighting to keep his voice friendly though. Nice try.

"Yeah? Well, we're not interested." Snow. He'd said the words she wanted to say. "We don't want to 'fight with you', thanks. We're perfectly capable on our own."

Xue stepped forwards, fixing her purple gaze on them again. And again, Lightning realized it was impossible for her to look away from that intense, knowing look. "But you need more answers."

"We'll find them." It was Hope. "We've found our own answers before; we'll do it again." You always believed in us, didn't you? That's what kept us going - you kept the hope you were named for.

The seeress turned to her Tribe Leader. "Yang, if they don't want to cooperate, we cannot force them to." The man looked livid - even from where she was standing Lightning could see the anger in his eyes.

"Xue, don't you realize we have to? Those men with red eyes wiped out half our soldiers last time they came for you - and they are still after you!" Whipping his head around to them, he motioned at his soldiers, which were lined around the walls. "I don't care if you have to take them by force - they must help us!"

Lightning pulled out her omega weapon before half of them even had the time to react. So this is how you want to play, Yangt'zu? Well, you're messing with the wrong people. She raised her left hand - she could catch most of them in a spell before they got too close and it would be all melee combat.

"Thundaga!" The spell rocked the floor of the temple, but some of the soldiers had been fast enough to evade it. She narrowed her eyes as she spotted the captain from last night diving for her. There wasn't any time to worry about Hope or Serah. She trusted that Hope could take care of himself and that Snow would protect her sister. For once, I'm relying on you, Snow.

Dodging under the first swipe of the heavy scythe, Lightning caught its return swing with her gunblade, pushing back against it. That left her left hand free to cast, and the same realization must have hit the man because his eyes widened with shock. Should have occurred to you earlier, no? Her Fira caught him in the chest and he fell, coughing. The wound wasn't fatal - a couple months and he should be fit for duty again. Throwing the Aerora at the rapid footsteps behind her, she back flipped and fired into the thigh of another soldier.

Xue was nowhere to be seen - her guess was that they hid her the moment they had begun to attack. Someone shouted her name behind her.

"Lightning! Let's go!" Moving backwards to the sound of Snow's voice, she aimed spell after spell at the incoming soldiers. And then another idea crossed her mind.

"Blizzara!" The spell created a giant ice flower in the middle of the wooden floor, and she could hear the thumps of bodies against it as they tried to push through it. That should buy some time. Aiming one last Thundara over her shoulder, she took off at a sprint after Snow, who was carrying Serah easily, and Hope - they were already out the door into the sunlight.

Something buried itself into her shoulder, and Lightning cursed under her breath. Reaching her left hand behind her, she wrenched the arrow out. Not even bothering to turn around, she pulled the trigger of the omega weapon in the direction of the archer - it didn't matter if it was going to hit or not; the distraction and the few moments it would take to avoid the bullet was enough for her to get away.

Stumbling out into the bright sunlight was something else. It was even brighter outside than it had been in the temple, and now she was in the open. Shit. Her shoulder ached and she could feel the warmth spreading on the cloth of the uniform. Lightning fixed her eyes on Snow's white coat several dozen paces ahead of her and told herself to keep going. Every time her left foot hit the ground a tinge of pain pulled at her shoulder - but she'd had worse.

Catching up to the others, Lightning turned back one last time at the temple. A small surge of satisfaction bubbled up as she saw the blackened roof of the structure and the archers that were still trying to shoot them - their arrows fell more than several feet short. This is what you get for treating people like tools.

The wall was another matter - the front gate was tightly locked; even though the bar could be lifted from the inside, she knew it was too heavy for them to lift. And there were sure to be guards lining the walls, just waiting to snipe them if they did make it out. Right now, they were right underneath the shadow of the wall; the archers couldn't aim directly down like that, but soldiers were coming from the direction of the temple.

"Back away from the wall," she hissed at the others. There was only one way to get rid of the wood, and she knew it. Snow instantly pulled aside a still startled looking Serah and Hope moved to cover her back. Thanks. Hope had certainly learned a lot since they'd first met him as a scared, traumatized teenager at the Hanging Edge.

"Fira!" The spell hit the door, rocking it on its hinges. When initial flames cleared, Lightning saw a hole in it big enough for even Snow to squeeze through. Launching herself forwards towards it, she cast a Watera at the remaining wood to douse the remnants of the smoking barrier.

"Come on!" No one needed to be told twice. Snow handed Serah to her before he pushed himself through the gaping hole, and Lightning set Serah down, waiting for the moment Hope scrambled though to cast another spell that would hopefully stop the rest of the pursuit. Once he was clear, she aimed one last Thundaga just beyond the door, before they took off on the path that would lead them down the other side of the mountain. A fleeting thought crossed her mind as she headed for the trees. Now what?

Yangt'zu watched the gang of l'Cie escape, and the fruitless attempts of his soldiers to chase after them. He knew there was no point - the woman, Lightning, was strong enough to take on an entire platoon of his soldiers with just her magic. And even wounded, she'd somehow managed to escape through through his fingers. A small growl of frustration escaped his lips - this would not be the last she saw of him. Snapping his fingers, he summoned an attendant.

"Yes sir."

"Tell the soldiers to give up pursuit - there's plenty to be fixed around at home without chasing after wild geese with strong wings."

"Yes sir." He observed the damage they'd done to his village in just the span of less than half an hour. The front gate blown open, temple ruined, the list went on...

This is why I need her. And the rest of them, once their powers have all been fully awoken. They have the Goddess's blessing - they have Eidolons. Xue saw it. And I need those spirits to help safeguard Xue when those red eyed clones come back... and who knows when they'll be back? Perhaps tonight, even.

"Sir." A soldier.

"Yes, what is it?" He snapped back, not bothering to turn around.

"It's Lady Xue, sir, she's gone."

Lightning sank onto a rock on the path - it was twilight and they desperately needed to rest, having fled down the mountainside for most of the duration of the day. Her shoulder ached badly and she needed to cast several cure spells on it before it got worse. Luckily, they were almost three quarters of the way down and it was beginning to flatten out. There was a clump of trees next to a small forest that would conceal them for the night well enough.

"Let's just stop here for the night," suggested Hope, looking at her worriedly. She snorted - she didn't need the concern; in fact, she was more concerned about Serah, who was clinging to Snow like he was a lifeline. Moving further into the trees, she spotted a small creek. Excellent.

Snow set Serah down on a rock, and she went to join her sister, putting a slender arm around her shoulders.

"Hey. You okay?" Serah looked at her with despair in her pale blue eyes.

"Claire, we could have helped..." Her voice was small, and it was trembling. I hate it when she's like this. Gently pulling more of her sister to her, Lightning awkwardly patted her back.

"Serah, you know why we did what we did." She felt the pink head bob against her shoulder, and she winced.

"I know, Claire... it's just, I feel bad for Xue... and- When did you get hurt?" Serah had noticed, and was looking at her with slightly indignant eyes.

"Serah, I told you not to worry about me, okay?" Lightning muttered the cure spell she'd been meaning to all day, feeling it wipe most of the pain away instantly. It still ached a little, but that she could deal with - at least the wound itself was gone.

"Hey, Sis, you could have told us to give you, oh, a couple of seconds if you were hurt, you know." Snow's bumbling voice came from somewhere behind her.

"Shut up, Snow. I don't need you acting all motherly and lovey dovey near me, okay?" But the big man just laughed, coming up behind them and pulling Serah away from her and into his embrace. She let out an irritated huff; turning away, she watched Hope fill a water canteen from the creek. Digging a bottle of iodine from her pack, she slapped it into his hand as he came back.

"Seven drops, okay? And then wait half an hour." He giggled.

"Got it, Light."

It was too risky to build a fire - not only would the pinprick of light in the darkness give them away, smoke also rose upwards. Lightning felt Hope rest his head on her shoulder; she still wasn't used to the contact, but she had to admit she was glad for the warmth - it was getting colder now that the sun was gone. Serah was bundled in Snow's coat again, only tendrils of her pink hair was visible from where she was sitting. Just as well. Her oaf will keep her warm for tonight.

A crackle of shoes on dried leaves and other plant life made Lightning instantly stand up, breaking the delicate contact between her and Hope. She raised her omega weapon - whoever it was sounded like they were alone, and alone meant she could take care of them with just her weapon.

"Don't shoot, please! It's me." Xue. How the hell did she follow us all the way down here?

The seeress emerged from the trees, and Lightning lowered her weapon a little - she wasn't armed.

"Why are you here?" Hope's cautious voice came from beside her shoulder - Nue was in his hands too.

"To apologize for Yang, and to give you something." The woman's gaze was fixed on her, and Lightning found herself rooted to the spot as she drew nearer, white robes shimmering oddly in the faint moonlight.

"Yang was only trying to protect me - he doesn't know the right way to go about it. He knew you all were strong; you saved Cocoon, after all. And this was the only way he could think of to get you to help." Lightning caught Serah's I-told-you-so look from where she was standing with Snow. The woman continued.

"I know that only you, Lightning, have found your powers again, and only because they took you. But the rest of you, I know where you can possibly get your powers back. Us l'Cie of the Farseer Tribe, we have an initiation place as well, where we are branded." Lightning felt something being pressed into her hand. "This will tell you where to go - perhaps your powers will awaken there too."

"Wait, so you know-" But Snow didn't get to finish before the woman shot him a silencing gaze. "But I warn you - your brands are and will be white for now - because Anima is dead. But when he is revived by the Eclipse, or if they should find a way to give you a new Focus, I cannot help you there."

Lightning opened her mouth to say something, but Xue had already turned away and was walking back into the dark expanse of the trees. The woman's hair glinted silver in the moonlight as she turned around one more time.

"And... Thank you... for not hurting my brother." No one had a chance to reply before she disappeared into the trees. She heard Snow sink down onto his rock again with Serah - they were murmuring something to each other Lightning didn't have the patience to pay attention to. She felt Hope tug on her arm, and she dropped whatever Xue had given her into his hand. Her eyes were still fixed on the spot where the woman had vanished.

No... thank you.

Well... interesting development there, no? I assume you all know what's coming in the next few chapters - looks like the rest of the gang are going to become l'Cie again as well. And I wonder what Serah will major in, ha! Feel free to guess her roles in battle (I am only going to have Light and the rest of the party use their main roles, so... well, Serah's three are up for you to imagine/speculate!)

The next chapter will not be up until the very earliest tomorrow night, possibly it might take me until Monday afternoon, but leave love as usual in reviews, and I will see you all next time!

Hearts!