~Prologue~

"You mean Serah, she saw this vision?"

"Yes…and…it killed her"

Just when I thought I was safe…just when I thought I'd found someone else, someone to rely on, someone who would support me and follow me anywhere if I asked. Someone who would smile at me…someone who would make me feel…less alone.

Yet as I stand and look at you Serah, even though the aqua eyes behind your lids are dead and lifeless, your presence still brings me comfort.

It was Snow's idea to put you inside a crystal coffin, so that you're not forgotten. And it was my idea to put you at the centre of the new world, suspended by the graviton ores we found along the timeline. I thought it wasn't only symbolic but that its what you would've wanted, to stay with the future of humanity, at their very core as proof of what you accomplished.

And it was Hope's idea to build you a monument, similar to a Cathedral where you sleep on inside. It's too bad Lightning restricted access to you because I know that's not something you would have wanted. You'd want everyone to be able to see you, be able to see who saved them was human, just as they are…

Serah what I'm trying to say is you gave me hope. You gave me lots of other things too, your friendship, your support and guidance on our very long and weary journey. We have been through a lot together, hundreds of years to be exact, and not once did I lose faith in you and I never felt a shadow of doubt in your trust. Even the way you smiled made me feel lighter somehow...as if I didn't have to carry any of my burdens alone anymore.

I've only found that type of friendship in a few select people…most of whom died, one in my arms and another at the point of my blade. Each time they die, I feel more alone, my existence seems to become evermore fragile. Every time a friend leaves me, I feel scared and vulnerable, like there's nobody for me to care for anymore…and I feel a stinging sensation in my heart telling me nobody is there to care for me anymore either.

But with you Serah its different, its different because I know you're still here. Not just with your body and I'm not sure about your spirit either…since the passing of Etro I don't know what to believe in anymore…it's difficult to describe but I feel as if the future, this future I am in. It exists in the palms of your hand, I don't mean it literally, I just feel as if its your creation and I know you too well Serah to say that you wouldn't watch over us.

So I could wallow in my grief and self-pity but I know you would lecture me about it if you were still here. Instead I promise to be strong Serah, I'm going to keep that hope you gave me burning strong in my heart and I promise you Serah in all that I do I will never let you down or allow your future to fade.

After the launch of Hope's new Cocoon the fated ones of humanities future set about protecting their new home.

The one known as Lightning now controls central administration of the new Republic of Bhunivelze and commands her own personally trained military guard for the defence of Bhunivelze.

The brave warrior Snow has also raised the main bulk of Bhunivelze's military force and is second-in-command only to Lightning.

The young scholar Hope is still Director of the Academy, dedicated to science and technology, currently focussing on unearthing and researching more about the world of Gran Pulse.

Still crystallised from their sacrifice to protect Cocoon in the sky, Vanille and Fang are held within Academia on the floor of Gran Pulse. Researchers are currently trying to find a way to safely break them out of crystal-stasis.

Since becoming free from the curse of the L'cie brand Sazh wanted nothing more than to live the rest of his life out with his young boy Dajh, although he never forgets to visit his former L'cie friends, he just believes 'his superhero days are over'.

And finally Noel…the last one to be dragged into the mess caused by Fal'cie, Noel doesn't strictly have an official position or purpose…although he simply vows if Bhunivelze ever falls under threat, that he will be one to protect it.

Seemingly peace has been restored to humanity, but nobody is willing to put their guard down…if their journey through time taught them anything;

be ready for the impossible and never lose hope.

A.N.: So that's the prologue...basically I just wanted to try and set the scene for my alternate ending to Final Fantasy XIII-2, in order to make my story work. I hope I was able to explain everything reasonably well...if there's something you don't understand just message me and I'll be happy to reply! ^-^

But anyway, this is my first fic in the Final Fantasy XIII series, after reading around in this fandom I decided that with all my final exams done and nothing better to do I may as well give it a go! I'm not going to insist that you review this chapter as such because it's just an introduction really :L But please if you like the sound of it after the next chapter feel free to review c: Because as all writers and authors know; feedback is golden!

Also yes, it is NoelxHope and yes it will eventually contain an M-rated scene, but I will warn you in the prior chapter when it's going to happen xD So people who are here for the smut, you're going to have to wait a while haha, and people who are here for progression of their relationship and don't want the smut, don't worry I'll warn you when the smutty chapter is approaching! Anyway, I doubt anybody's even read this far into an author note haha, I'll shut up now...