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

Thank yous to my reviewers GCFarron, OscarMerrinoz96, and Mylaervain! (: You guys are awesome. The special shoutout goes to Mylaervain and Oscar, ha, you guys guessed my intentions right on the nose. n_n

And to GCFarron: No, I totally understand your sentiment! D: I really didn't know how else to solve that plot point, so I felt like I had to put Light and Hope together (I don't want to spoil anything, but trust me when I say that I felt that was well, the only way to progress). To be honest, I'm still kind of iffy on it as well, as I share your sentiment about the age difference hugely. But I do promise no explicitness - I don't think I could write a straight up romance to begin with. (I'm terrible at romance... hence all my writing is plot/emotional content driven) It will be subtle for sure (less than the Serah and Snow moments I've included so far, that is a given) - as I said, the plot and action are the main things driving this fic.

Anyways, enjoy as always! (:

Chapter 20: Another Lifetime Away

Lightning gripped her omega weapon, flipping it to gun mode. She scanned the area quickly, but she couldn't see anything - she was painfully aware that they were standing in the middle of the pool of light, and whoever it was, was standing in the darkness. Her eyes tried to adjust to the stark contrast, but she couldn't focus on anything.

Moving forward a few steps, she tried to calm her erratic breathing. Don't panic... don't lose it...

A figure emerged in front of her, melting out of the shadows. The silver cat eyes, the tiny vestigial wings... she knew who this was. Lightning gritted her teeth and raised her weapon, aiming it at his forehead. Come and get it.

"Oh, my dear Lightning... Why do you greet an old friend in such a rude manner? We just want to talk..." The twisted smile was obvious even though she could only half see his face.

"Shut the fuck up," she hissed back. "You're obviously here for something, and I want to know what."

The man shrugged offhandedly, raising his hands to suggest nonchalance. "Oh Lightning, you're as polite as ever. That sort of language doesn't befit you, you know?"

"What do you want?" she snarled again, not bothering to conceal the disgust in her voice. But the man didn't answer, just flipping his hand over his shoulder as he turned, giving her one last chilling smile.

"Finish them." The moment the words left his mouth, Lightning felt the ground shake, and she heard Serah shriek. Utter terror seized her as she whipped around, Serah clinging to the edge of the rock that must have been shattered by some sort of bazooka. She tried to run forwards to help her sister - she didn't know where the hell Snow and Hope were, and she refused to think of the other possibilites - but a thick arm wrapped around her neck when she tried to push away.

Fighting furiously at the grip, she kicked backwards. The grip loosened with a grunt from behind, and she half twisted out of the grasp, freeing the use of her left hand.

"Fira!" The spell caught the man in the face, and she flung the arm off of her. She glanced desperately back at her sister, but she couldn't see her - there were too many enemies in her way. Desperation made her freeze for a moment, terror and anguish pounding through her veins. Fuck... Serah, no! A pounding burst of pain from her brand and she held her left hand to it.

"Odin!" The crystal formed in her hand, and tossing it, she sliced it in half with her gunblade. The summon circle illuminated the entire cavern, and she caught a glimpse of Hope struggling to swim back to the edge of the lake.

"Cut us a path!" The Eidolon was suddenly beside her, towering above her regally. Taking her omega weapon again, she sliced at the nearest enemy, not caring whether her blows were fatal or not. I have to save them... I have to save them! A spray of bullets showered near her, and she heard it deflect off of something. Casting a glance behind her, Lightning recognized Ullr's Shield. Thanks.

Moving forward again, she flipped forward over a rock, her boot connecting with a man's face. Hearing the sickening crack, she shoulder rolled sideways. Switching her omega weapon back to gun mode, she aimed at another one who was going after her. There's too many of them! Gritting her teeth again, Lightning set her eyes on the next trio advancing slowly on her.

"I control my own fate!" She didn't even care what her blade landed on now, anything that got her closer to Hope and Serah was help. Panting, Lightning rested one hand on her knee, her blue gaze sweeping over the cavern again. She couldn't see anything in her field of vision, and for some reason, that terrified her. Where's Serah... and Hope? She felt herself beginning to panic again as terror seized her body, a fear as familiar as life, and she raised her hand. Odin, I need your help!

The piercing whinny of her Eidolon sounded behind her. Picking up the scythe blades, she jumped onto Sleipnir's back, directing it with her knees. A small gasp closer to the lake edge caught her attention, and she sliced away whatever was in her way, not caring if it was human or inorganic.

Her fingers brushed, and then grasped slim, wet fingers. Summoning the remaining strength in her upper arms, Lightning pulled Serah from the water, holding her wet, shaking form close to her own body for a moment.

"Claire..." Her sister's teeth were chattering, and Lightning hoped her body heat was enough to warm her sister. She didn't have the chance to respond though, as she searched the cavern desperately for Hope - Snow could take care of himself. Sleipnir pawed the ground impatiently. What is it... Odin?

Something else gripped her arm, and instinct instantly commanded her to shake it off. But when she looked down, she was staring into the scared, wide emerald eyes of Hope. He was dripping wet too, but he looked better than Serah. He was holding something on his left wrist, and within several heartbeats of absolute dread, Lightning knew what it was.

A brand.

Hope saw the look of terror in Lightning's eyes. She knows. But it wasn't time to argue with her, and he only hoped his rediscovered l'Cie powers was enough to get them out of their current predicament. Serah was holding her left arm too, and he knew that the moment the bazooka had knocked them into the lake and the piercing pain erupted from his wrist that the brands were back.

He raised his left hand, feeling the familiar rush of magic. He only hoped his recently rediscovered l'Cie powers were enough to get them out of their current predicament. Hope glanced upwards to catch the glimpse of a silver streak of bullets aimed at Lightning - the few moments she'd paused to look at him had made her a target. The Protect that left his hand slowed the impact of the projectiles; enough for her to realize what was happening and to shove Serah off of Odin and out of the way. But the spell couldn't make them disappear as one of the bullets found her side and the Eidolon vanished as Lightning crumpled to the ground, holding her right side. The deepening red on white flashed before Hope's eyes.

The Cura left his hand before he even gave it a second thought - the soft blue light came together on Lightning's side, and he heard her groan. A rush of panic swelled in his stomach. Light...! Serah reached her before he did, pulling her sister upright as her clear blue eyes opened. There wasn't any pain in them, and Hope let out the breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. Lightning roughly pushed Serah off of her, muttering that she was okay. As if to prove the point, she pulled herself to her feet, cursing quietly. The Eidolon's weapon had vanished the moment its master's power had been cut off, but Hope saw the glint of the omega weapon in her right hand.

"Hope!" Her voice was still somewhat raspy, but it was strong, and he felt a flicker of relief to see her in control again. "Slash and Burn, now!" The hoarse command reminded him they were still in a battlefield, and there were still people after them. They'd been knocked into the shadows the moment the snipers had gunned for them, but he didn't know where they were - scanning his eyes over in the direction of the shots, Hope couldn't still couldn't make out a thing; the bright lit lake in the middle of the cavern was messing with his vision.

A clang of metal on metal brought him back to the situation at hand - Lightning had locked her omega weapon with another blade several feet away. The Firaga left his hand, and he saw her jump away at the last moment. The brilliant flash of fire lit up the cave for a single moment, the figure she'd been engaging consumed in black smoke - but he couldn't see Snow. Crap, where is he? Serah would go nuts if they couldn't find him. A second spell - Ruinga, lit up the cave again, and he glanced at Lightning - but her left hand wasn't raised.

"Come on, let's move!" Her hiss to his right snapped him into action. She was pulling Serah along with her, and Hope sent an arbitrary Aeroga behind them, aiming to stop potential pursuers. As they drew nearer to the far side of the cave, he began to hear thumps. A hiss of frustration from Lightning confirmed it.

"Snow, you uneducated moron!" But she didn't give him the time to reply before she pushed Serah to him; turning around, Hope could see she had her weapon ready. She looked okay - hopefully that meant his Cura had gotten to her in time. But... it's not like she hasn't hidden injuries from us before. The big man gave his still dripping wife a quick hug before he moved up to join Lightning.

"Sis-" But she cut him off.

"Quiet." Several clicks in the distance, and Hope knew that weapons were once again trained on them. He pulled Nue out, readying it before him. How many are left...? Lightning and Odin had taken out many of them, he knew that, but there were the snipers in the corner that the spells hadn't gotten and who knew how many were still on their feet? "Delta Attack," he heard her hiss into the darkness. Hope readied himself to cast a spell.

Several gunshots echoed through the cave as Hope let the Thundaga crash into the ground. Snow was crouched before them, fists crossed. And then the entire roof of the cavern began to crumble, and he only heard Lightning manage one more command before dirt and stone crowded every sense that he owned.

"Combat Clinic!" Hope directed several Cure spells in her way and Snow's - hopefully that would be enough before the earthen elements ate them where they stood.

Snow coughed, retching at the dirt and stone dust that filled his lungs. Gross. Did Sis really have to command a cave in? He'd thrown himself over Serah at the last moment when she'd commanded the Combat Clinic. Luckily, they seemed to be okay - his limbs seemed to be attached to his body and he could feel Serah clinging tightly to his shirt. Roughly pushing off the slab of earth that had settled across his back, Snow found himself looking up at the clear night sky.

"Snow?" Serah's quiet voice sounded beside him - he'd pulled her up when he'd gotten up himself. "Are you okay?" He brushed aside the wet clods of soil that had settled in her pink hair.

"Course I am," he scoffed playfully. "Heroes never die."

He turned at the sound of a rough cough to his left - Lightning was brushing dirt off her uniform and weapon. She looked a little worse for wear, several bruises colouring her arms and lower leg, but she seemed otherwise unhurt. Hope's platinum hair was dusted with earth, and he was clutching his side, apparently out of breath.

"Is everyone okay?" Lightning's voice was a hoarse rasp - she was still coughing.

"Think so." He saw her glare at him, before her expression softened at the sight of Serah clinging to his shirt. Heh.

A slow scrape of metal on metal made him turn - a hooded figure with a scythe was advancing slowly in the wake of the collapsed roof of the ceiling. Footsteps came from behind him as Lightning made her way to his side, Hope just half a pace behind her.

"Clever, aren't we?" The hairs on the back of Snow's neck stood up when the voice reached his ears. Guttural and rasping, it didn't sound human. There was little to no emotion in the words, only the hint of dry amusement. "Collapsing the cave roof to weed out the rest of the enemies... I expected little less from the l'Cie that defeated Orphan. But your time ends here... and now. Yorun only needs one of you, and I get to pick... And who better to chose than the l'Cie who so clearly owns an Eidolon?" He heard Lightning's growl of contempt from beside him.

The scythe's blade gleamed in the moonlight that streamed down from the sky as it was raised. He felt Lightning spring away from him and Hope as they spread out. Snow fingered the brand on his arm, before pushing Serah behind him.

"Stay there," he whispered to her, lingering a hand on her hair once more. Focusing his eyes on the figure again, he heard a small hoarse laugh coming from where its mouth should have been. It was a little unnerving to know that he couldn't see the man's face. How can he fight with that cloak on?

Lightning was across from him, several yards away. Her cerulean eyes were narrowed with concentration and he realized she was waiting for the enemy to make the first move. She was tense, ready to spring, when the scythe blade flashed towards Hope, the smallest of them.

"Relentless Assault!" Her voice cut through the silence and Snow moved into position for an Aquastrike. Lightning had slashed the omega weapon in the direction of the enemy, forcing him away from Hope. The small stumble was enough for Snow to land the Aquastrike in the man's back, but it wasn't enough. The man merely danced away from him and towards her this time. Snow sent a Blizzaga in his direction the same moment Hope cast a Firaga. Unfazed, the man swung his scythe at Lightning, who rolled away and sent her own Ruin in his direction. She met his scythe with her weapon as it swung back, and her sharp glance at him told him what she wanted.

Snow directed the Watera at the man's back as Hope sent the Aeroga just a heartbeat later; finally, Snow saw the man stagger.

"Aggression!" He didn't hesitate before launching himself at the man, fists raised. Lightning had beat him to it, and he watched her mercilessly slash at the figure she'd launched into the air, her eyes impassive. Snow sent another uppercut at the figure, knocking the scythe away from his hands - it clattered noisily to the stone floor. His third punch met thin air, or rather, black smoke, and he landed on the ground again, breathing hard. Lightning landed next to him, her normally pale face slightly flushed. He saw her wipe away sweat from her forehead and rake her hands through her pink hair, putting away the weapon.

"Did we get all of them?" Hope asked, his voice tentative.

"I think so." He went over to ruffle his hair. "Not bad, kid. Nice to see you and your spells again." The platinum haired teenager giggled.

"Thanks."

Snow stretched his arms tiredly - it had been a long night, and although the rush of l'Cie power from the lake had been invigorating, he was beginning to feel the first faint stirs of fatigue. He turned to look for Serah, only to see that Lightning had gotten there first, and was holding her by the shoulders. One of her hands was gripping the place on her arm where Snow knew the brand was.

"Serah, what happened? How did...?"

He watched his wife gently brush her sister's hands off of her. "Claire..." But the look in Lightning's eyes was hard.

"Tell me." Her voice was held a slightly dangerous tone in it - Snow was reminded of the way she usually spoke to him.

"I don't really know... the weapon fired and the floor cracked... We all fell in, and the moment the water touched where the brand was... it came back." Serah's voice trailed off, and Snow went to stand beside her, pulling her into an embrace, earning himself a disapproving glare from Lightning.

"Hey Sis... calm down." But his words only seemed to fuel her frustration, and he could almost see it in her eyes. She's going to feel guilty again, isn't she? About how she couldn't protect us, about how she couldn't keep us from becoming l'Cie. "You know Sis, technically we were never not l'Cie during this time... no need to look so mad, okay?"

"Shut up, Snow." And from her voice Snow could tell he'd hit a nerve.

"Sis, honestly, don't freak. It was bound to happen, and you know it." She glared at him for another few heartbeats before she let out a sigh, turning away, huffing. Snow felt someone poke him in the back, and he turned around to Hope's curious green gaze.

"Hey, Serah?" His voice held a the faintest touch of amusement. Snow felt the pink head that was resting on his shoulder turn towards the teenager. "Have you tried... you know, using l'Cie powers yet?"

Serah detached herself from him, and Snow saw with a rush of relief the curiosity that flooded her eyes. "No..." But her voice held a touch of wonder in it as well.

"Well, d'you want to try? I think we could all give you a few lessons, and depending on what you major in, we could help you." Footsteps behind him told Snow Lightning had made her way over to them, and he cast a hesitant glance in her direction, hoping he wouldn't find anger in her steely blue eyes. But instead, he found the smallest hint of warmth as she watched her sister and Hope.

Snow allowed himself a smile too - feeling a rush of confidence that he could help Serah learn to fight, that he could help her overcome her worst fear in this journey - that she'd be useless to them all.

And when you look at things this way, our lives back in New Bodhum, our lives back in peace... They don't look like they were ten thousand lifetimes away.

Whew. A very, very action heavy chapter. I enjoyed writing it though, and I tried to work in as many combat elements from XIII as possible, including the Paradigm Shifts. I'll have to go look up the names of the other paradigm decks though - I don't think I've used all of them in my various playthroughs. I hope the "Delta Attack" one was right - I was going for COM RAV SEN, I hope that was the right name for said role.

Anyways, I haven't revealed Serah's roles yet (though I've decided on them), so feel free to guess what three they are! Correct guesses gets you a special shoutout! 8D

Leave love as always in reviews, and I will see you guys tomorrow!

Hearts!