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

Big thank yous to my reviewers: OscarMerrinoz96, Zapper90, GCFarron (have fun with XIII/XIII-2!), Crystal, Mylaervain, and Whistlewind Wolf! And to Whistlewind, we're just over the halfway point right now as of the last chapter, so we have a ways to go yet! (:

I love all the guesses, but no to any of them. Wow, than I think her Eidolon is gonna be unexpected, but I really hope you guys think it suits her! (: And yes, I got the chapter up early! 8D

One more thing. A big thank you goes to LadyAlaska (and if you guys haven't read her story, go read it ... NOW) for helping inspiring me to finish tonight with our awesome XIII/XIII-2 convos. 8D Enjoy as always!(:

Chapter 35: The Strength Needed

Lightning braced herself for the death blow that was sure to come. She closed her eyes, unsure of what to expect what death would feel like. Her brief crystal stasis? Or something much more finite, much more intangibly unembraceable? Serah... I...

But it didn't come. There was nothing except an ugly sound of metal on something solid and the brief washing of a Cure spell she knew that she would never be able to match in its potency. The pain wasn't just wiped - it cleared the cotton balls in her mind and the exhaustion in her limbs. Who...

No one had this powerful of a Cure spell, not her, not Hope... The only thing that had ever come close was her Eidolon... And that's not possible.

The swirl of something small and jade green danced above her head as she rolled away from the spot the delayed scythe strike hit the ground, ripping apart blades of dark grass and sending wet clods of soil flying into the heavy, still night air. Looking up, she saw...

What the hell?

The spirit dancing in front of her wasn't any Eidolon she recognized... if it even was an Eidolon to begin with. It was so small it probably could have fit into her arms like a cat. But there wasn't any time to be worrying about it now - there was a thing to be taken care of. Hope had dragged Serah a few paces away, casting a relieved yet concerned look in her direction.

"Relentless Assault!" Lightning felt the familiar strength building in her muscles. Snow was beside her instantly.

"You okay, Sis?"

She nodded, too busy trying to pinpoint the thing's movements to spare a glance at him. "Yeah... thanks to... that thing and whatever it's casting." She was still feeling the effects of the spell it was busy casting over their heads - it felt akin to Hope's Protect and Shell, but much more powerful. Was this how it felt like to be a fal'Cie? She felt she could literally reach into the sky and pluck the moon to flip over like a leaf.

They moved forwards in one fluid motion as she increased her movement to Blindside it. She heard it grunt as Snow hit it with one of his fists, and a Firaga crashed into the figure, barely missing her head. Lightning tried to control the anger she felt in herself, but it was difficult; difficult to not to scream every swear word she knew at...

Concentrate. You're a trained soldier, not a green grunt right out of the academy. Anger will fuel your movements, but cloud your judgement.

Her blade sank into the figure's weapon arm, and she ripped upwards, finding only satisfaction at the smear of red that stained her gunblade. This... is what you get for ruining my life... for telling Serah...

She still had no idea how her sister had reacted to the revelation of the prophecy. She wasn't sure if she wanted to know. Had it been worth... She didn't know. But there was no going back now. There was nothing she could do to erase the words from her sister's memory. Letting her instinct and anger control her movements, she tried to let her body do the work.

Serah... I'm sorry... I wanted to protect you from it. I wanted to... I didn't want to see you go through what I did when I found out.

Her weapon instinctively found the neck of the figure as she launched the thing up into the air, aided by Hope's Aeroga. She saw Snow across from her, his face lit by a determined fury as he pummeled away at the figure, pushing it down against the haze of spells that kept it up.

As it melted into the black smoke that was barely distinguishable from the surrounding darkness, the scythe soundlessly hitting the grass below them, Lightning landed on her feet, her body bending her knees to absorb the impact automatically. Arms wrapped around her back, and she found herself looking into the tear streaked face of her sister.

"Claire... I'm sorry..." The apology was barely audible. "I'm sorry... I didn't know..."

The words woke a familiar pain that was branded inside her like a scar. She'd promised that Serah would have a happy life, promised that Serah would have the life she knew was impossible for her. Her own weakness had let that scar become a raging, infected wound again. Trying to convince herself otherwise was useless.

She felt a hand reach her mouth as she tried to hold back her own pain. "Serah... I know I didn't tell you. I... I didn't want to see you like this."

"Claire, I'm not... I'm not scared about what the prophecy means! I'm scared about you. I don't want to..."

Sudden hands forced them apart, and Lightning, slightly annoyed, found herself looking into the unusually stern gaze of Snow.

"What... was that for?" she snarled. Part of her was glad... glad that she didn't have to hide anything anymore. Glad that in some way, Snow had stopped her... them before things got to the point where she would utterly snap again. The other, more vulnerable part of her wanted to break away from Snow's grip, and reach over to comfort Serah, to erase the look her sister had on her face.

The big man shot her an uncharacteristic glare. "Why don't we have a chat? Hope. Come here and hold onto Light while I get Serah to sit down."

Hope's small hands replaced Snow. Looking over in his green eyes, she saw the deep rooted relief. And for some reason, it didn't bother her as much as it should have - she felt the familiar creepings of embarrassment begin somewhere down at the base of her throat.

"It's going to be okay now... right, Light?" She nodded, not trusting herself to speak, not trusting her own emotions. She was afraid she was going to snap again.

A crack of knuckles behind her interrupted them - Snow was looking expectantly at them, before opening his mouth to speak.

"Alright. A few things I want to get straight with the two of you before we go any further. Sis, why don't we start with you?" She shot him a glare, hoping it was potent enough to discourage whatever comments he had in mind for her. It wasn't enough - he just grinned stupidly back.

"Down to business. Sis - don't even begin with your whole martyr attitude. I know you care, and that's great. But we care too. And where would we be if something happened to you?" He raised his eyebrows at her. "And. Next time, you have to tell us this sorta crap. I don't give whatever the prophecy means - you're thinking way too hard and taking it way too seriously for your own mental health. But don't go around hiding that stuff and bottling it up, see what happens?"

There was a silence as she processed his words, and it was awhile before she spoke. "Wow... Snow. I didn't know you had the higher brain functions to string that all together," she remarked shrewdly. Taking a breath, she tried to brand his comments into her brain before continuing, trying to force herself into a state of calmness, glad when she felt her heart rate slow down a little. "Thanks."

Her own words of appreciation was quiet, but she saw the familiar smile crack his face as he gave her a thumbs up. The blond oaf then turned to the smaller pinkette he held in his arms.

"And you," he started playfully. "Don't doubt Sis next time, okay?" His tone took on a more serious overlay as he continued. "I know the 'prophecy' sounds scary. But we'll fight it. There's nothing we can't take... and your hero is right here."

She saw a small smile stretch Serah's lips. "I know." Her sister's blue eyes fixed on her. "Sorry... Claire."

Lightning had just about to open her mouth to say it was okay when Snow clamped his big hand over her sister's mouth.

"Ah. None of that. No more self pity, no more apologies. We're in this together."

She had to suppress her own smile at that, as Hope's arm found hers, pulling her around. "See?" he asked her quietly. "I told you... everything would be okay."

She found her hand meeting his as their fingers locked, gently. "I know... thanks, kid."

And as much as she hated her weaker side for it, she felt her heart lift a little, as a small sense of wonder entered her consciousness.

Did they... just cheer me up?

She found that the thought didn't insult her as much as she thought it would.

Serah toyed with the small teardrop shaped crystal in her hands as she watched her sister and Hope discreetly.

"Hey baby... nice summon there, by the way." Snow's breath was close to her ear as she giggled softly, seeing Lightning and Hope break apart before they came over, an interested look on the silver haired teenager's face.

"That's right, we haven't complimented you for your Eidolon yet." His voice was appreciative. "It came at the right time."

Serah found herself looking at the jewel in her hands. "Was it... really one? Did I really summon... an Eidolon?"

Her sister let out a snort. "I'm alive to prove it, aren't I?"

Serah shuffled her feet shyly as she looked down, Snow's arms putting a warm, comfortable weight on her shoulders. She held the warm crystal close.

"Carbuncle. That was its name," she murmured quietly. "It said... I wouldn't be able to attack with her help. But I could protect what meant most to me."

"And that's exactly what you did, baby. Too bad you didn't have it stick around after it was done casting its spells - I wanted to see what it turned into." Snow's voice held the faint tone of a whine, as she giggled, looking at the exasperated look on her sister's face.

"Grow up, Snow," she snapped. "Come on, we're wasting time and it's not like those creeps are lost in this place." Her tone became serious, and Serah watched her blue eyes harden. "We're not letting them add another crystal to their collection."

The moonlit castle was silent except for their footsteps, as Serah tagged after Snow. Now that they were actually away from the courtyard, she could actually think. Think about the words that had obviously been plaguing her sister for awhile.

What was it that it meant? 'Something dear.' It could have meant anything, really, but Serah knew what her sister would value most. She could see why Claire had been so...

So uptight about it. She thought it was us... wasn't it? And maybe I would too, if I was in her position. But it's hard... hard to see things like that. She's here. Snow's here. They changed their fates...didn't they? Who says Xue is right? She has Hope to keep her alive too...

She didn't know anymore - maybe it was naive of her to think this way, but it was hard to feel despairing and suppressed by a few words of a vague meaning. As childish as it sounded, she didn't feel like that could be her.

Changing fates isn't impossible. It's not.

And maybe... being crushed by the simple words was what her sister had been scared of. And maybe that was what was really childish about herself - maybe it was she couldn't comprehend the heaviness of the words. But if she was honest... she didn't believe it. And if it was for Claire's sake as well as her own, then she would cling to that belief.

Claire...

Shadows alternated with light as the windows cast barred patterns on the cold stone wall of the castle. Hope was starting to feel a little uneasy; after the teeming monsters outside the castle and on the lower floors, the absence of monsters was starting to unnerve him. Lightning's short breathing was slightly in front of him - he could see her cape in the dim lighting - and he heard the combined breathing of Serah and Snow several steps behind him as they settled into their usual travel formation.

Something caught his eye outside the small window - he hadn't seen it carefully; it had only been a black smear across the moonlit sky and it had only flashed in his peripheral vision for a moment. But it had been something and he felt himself pause.

Snow bumped into him from behind. "What, kid?"

Hope didn't want to tell him he'd been spooked by something he'd only half seen. "Erm, thought I saw something. It's nothing, Snow, it's not there anymore."

Maker, he could feel his heartbeat throbbing in his throat. I feel like a coward. But the sight had... Urgh. Hope shoved it out of his mind - he was psyching himself out and Light would strangle him if she had heard. He forced himself to climb again, his feet shuffling a little on the stone steps, chipping away several broken slates. Oops. The stone chips made a clattering noise as they bounced down the steps.

The next landing greeted them with a cool blue lit, and Hope shivered a little at the grotesque statues that lined the hallway. The demonic faces weren't helping his nerves and he winced when he saw the stone weapons held in each of their hands, their faces eerily lifelike. Lightning had stopped short just ahead of him, her gunblade drawn.

Hope cleared his throat a little, and he saw her glance back. "This place a little unnerving for you too?" she asked quietly. Her eyes looked calm though, and once again, Hope thanked the Maker they'd been able to get her over that particular mental hurdle.

"Yeah," he replied. His throat was a little dry, and his words came out a little cracked. He gulped, hoping to swallow the nervousness.

"Whoa," he heard Snow mutter behind him. "What the hell is with these things?"

"Quiet!" Lightning's hiss sounded impatient. "Stop complaining and let's get moving."

Hope followed her as they made their way down the hall. There was definitely a creepy aura about the place - he couldn't place his finger on it, but he felt like they were being watched. And not watched like... like how Yorun would watch them. It was like this castle was alive, just like the cathedral at Tythell. Like they were the intruders after millenia of the fal'Cie god's departure.

He felt an involuntary shiver go through his body; the place was creeping him out, but he refrained from mentioning the fact. Hope tried not to look at the faces of the devilish statues lining the side of the hallway, the moonlight giving them a demonically twisted lifelife lighting. Those are... just creepy to the point that they resemble bedtime story monsters. And in the semi darkness of the place, it appeared like the statues were almost breathing. The shifting bands of moonlight didn't make Hope feel any safer, and he found himself catching up to Lightning, wanting her reassurance.

She let out a huff when she noticed he had caught up to her shoulder, but then she sighed, almost inaudibly, like she was giving in to some invisible pull. Hope didn't dare make any sort of physical contact with her, as much as he wanted her comfort - she looked tense and he didn't want to make her worse.

"Light?" He ventured a question, and she gave a short hum to let him know she'd heard. She didn't take her blue eyes off the path though. Hope took a small breath, breathing through his mouth. "D'you think we're close?"

She stopped for a moment, giving him a long look, before she walked forwards again. "I don't know. There's no sign that we're closer, but I would assume the place where we want to be is at the top...somewhere." Her voice hardened. "And he's got an advantage if he can fly. Here's to hoping that some sort of monster eats him before he gets there."

He heard Snow snicker behind him, and Hope felt a thin smile spread his own lips. "Looks like someone's about to get the brunt of Sis's anger," Snow remarked.

"You bet," she snarled under her breath. "That bastard will never know what hit him."

"Won't I?" The chilling voice suddenly sounded very close to Hope's right ear, and he veered into Lightning, hearing her curse under her breath as he bumped into her shoulder. The cold golden eyes were only a few feet away from him - he moved forward about an inch when he realized he was awkwardly pressed against Lightning. A flush of heat crept up his throat when he realized he could feel her rapid heartbeat.

"You-" Snow didn't have time to finish before the soundwave swept over them, knocking Hope off his feet and sending both him and Lightning crashing into the wall. He heard her curse out loud this time as they were flattened by the attack. Hope raised a hand to his mouth, breathing hard, as he clambered to his feet.

"You see? The utter difference between your power and mine? None of you could ever hope to beat me in a duel." A spear materialized in the man's hand as the single black wing spread ragged dark feathers over the moonwashed stone floor. The spear left his hand as quickly as it had appeared as he threw it in their direction; the flash of steel caught the cold moonlight as it sliced the dank air. Hope felt Lightning's steel grip tighten on his left arm as she pulled him hastily out of the way and she raised her weapon to counterattack.

The echo of the bullets in the silent castle crashed into his eardrums as he pulled Nue out, ready to back her up if she needed it. Hope felt his heartbeat thudding rapidly in his throat. He's... strong. And suddenly, he wasn't sure if they could win. There was a cold huff as the man swerved to avoid the projectiles with one swish of his cloak.

"Your power will never compare to mine, you see. Mortal weapons cannot harm me." With that, he retrieved his spear that had buried itself into the stone wall behind them with one movement of his hand. Before any of them could move into range to counterattack, the man slammed the spear into the ground, cracking the stone beneath their feet.

Hope had one glance at the red cloth of Lightning's cape and the Serah's silver touched pink hair before the ground split beneath them and he was plummeted into the unending darkness, flailing his arms, trying to catch anything that would break his fall, but finding nothing.

I think I'm really into cliffhangers... but I did get this chapter up early, does that count? *puppy dog eyes*

So anyways, yes, Serah's Eidolon was Carbuncle... if anyone missed that. If I'm honest, Serah does NOT seem like an attacking character, and Carbuncle was perfect for the situation at hand - this scene was planned out a LONG time ago and I knew it was going to happen like that. n_n You didn't see Gestalt Mode because... I never planned a Gestalt Mode for Carbuncle. (currently wracking my tiny little brain in hopes of coming up with a good one) Because let's face it. Cat thing with ruby on its forehead, what's it gonna become? A flying carpet? A kite? I really don't know. xD

Anyways, leave love as always, and I'll see you guys next time! I promise at least one chapter this weekend.

Hearts!