A.N. OMG I can't believe it! I can't believe how many reviews I've got! (and so freakin' fast too!) O.O Thank ya all for reading and reviewing my little story *cries out of happiness* Sry for not replying, I had no time (and also forgot it a few times...) Anyway, you all think that Light will die, huh? Um...I can't give you a proper answer, 'cause I don't wanna spoil you, so I say nothingxD

zenbon zakura: about that „Light's the new seeress and Hope's the new guardian" thing...I can't answer to this as well, sry.

I hope you'll be surprised of what I've planned for the ending^^ btw you still have the chance to vote which ending shall be the original one. (link's on the 1st chappy)

Well now I update earlier than normal! 'cause you guys seem to like this storyx3 It's currently 3AM right now...wow. (Have to go to sleep...) Anyway I have summer vacation! *-* Can stay awake longer and have lots of time to write the other stories, I postedx3 WHEN I wrote a oneshot for some...eh...don't know if I can call it a contest...I have a month time for it and have to write a oneshot 'bout Light and Hope with the topic: SUMMER! I hope I get a good idea soon...Wish me luck!

Time Traveler

Chapter 5: Proto fal'Cie Adam pt 1

Once Lightning finished her lecture, and once they received another artifact, they went back to the gate that brought them back to Sunleth. Once there, they immediately noticed that the flan was no longer red, but green. „It's green, kupo.", said Mog, which flew after them. „Yes. I'm sure it's because he can't fuse with any more flans.", said Lightning and took her gunblade. „Now it would be easier to defeat him."

„Don't underestimate him, Hope. Even if he's weakened, it's still a tough enemy." Hope nodded and grabbed Mog, which transformed into the bow. Then the two went into the battle. The flan became weaker, but would still be strong enough to destroy the pillar. They tempted him away from the pillar and attacked him. Lightning attacked head-on, again, while Hope attacked defensively.

They both used their strongest magic until it was completely weakened. Now all they had to do is to finish him off. The giant flan attacked Lightning with its arm, but she dodged the attack in time and jumped on his arm. She used the same tactic as with the Goblin and Atlas. She ran up on his arm and shot him several times. The pudding wanted to push her away with his other arm, but she dodged with a roll and then jumped up.

She changed the gun into a sword and slashed through the flan and killed it. She landed softly on the ground and put her Gunblade away. Hope and Mog were immediately by her side. „Are you okay, Light?", asked Hope, and helped her up again. „Yes, I'm alright.", she replied as she stood up again. Then she flinched as she felt a sharp pain on her leg and went to her knees. „You're hurt.", said Hope and examined her leg.

„It's just a scratch.", said Lightning, but Hope wasn't listening to her and pulled off her boot. Her leg was slightly corroded. „Damn...That thing probably contained some acid...", muttered Lightning, as she saw the injury. Hope gently laid his hands on the wound. Lightning hissed at the contact, that let the pain increase and tried to pull away but Hope held her a bit tighter.

„Don't move.", he said with a stern tone and began to heal her. At first his magic burned like hell, but then she felt a warmth and the wound healed completely. Mog was by her side and told her that she just had to sit still so Hope could heal her better. It's not like she would have another choice...A few seconds later, he finally let go and her leg was completely healed. „All done."

„Thank you, Hope."

„Oh, no problem.", he said with a grin and put her boot on. „We should rest and eat something.", he added, as their stomachs started to growl. „Yes, kupo! I have a HUGE appetite, kupo!", said Mog immediately. Lightning just nodded in agreement and stood up. „You okay?", he asked again and stood close to her to catch her if she still had pain in her leg.

„Yes, everything's okay. Let's look for a safe place.", she said and took the lead, while Hope and Mog followed her. During their search for a safe place they've found the next time gate, but Hope insisted that they'll rest, eat something and sleep. Lightning let him decide everything, sat down on the grass and leaned back against a tree, while Hope was looking for something to eat.

Mog stayed with Lightning to give her some company, Hope still had his magic and his boomerang, after all, if some monster wanted to attack him. In the future Sunleth there were lots of eatable things. Many fruits and even a few monsters that looked like the ones, they had to eat back then, as they arrived Grand Pulse for the first time. These monsters were pretty tasty, so he chased a few of them and gathered many different fruits. This would be enough for a few days. Since it was too much for him, he tore off a huge leaf off a tree, laid all the food there, and dragged it with him.

As he arrived at the time gate he heard Mog and Lightning talking. He didn't like eavesdropping, but he remained behind the bushes and trees and listened to them secretly. „You seem to be close, kupo.", said Mog. They seem to talk about him and Lightning. The pink-haired woman nodded. „We are. But just as friends.", she replied. Hope's heart sank when he heard this. „But it seems Hope wants more than friendship, kupo." Hope's eyes widened slightly. He'd hoped that no one will notice it, but apparently anyone could easily see through him, even a Moogle.

„Don't be ridiculous.", she said. Mog flapped her wings, flew to Lightning and sat down on her knees so she could look at her. „I saw how he's looking at you, kupo. And he cares very much for you, kupo.", it said, while Lightning looked away. „We're just partners, Mog. Nothing more."

„Really, kupo?"

„Really."

Hope let the leaf bag fall on the ground. In her eyes, they would always be nothing more but partners. He'd hoped that she'll somehow see how much he loves her, but she would probably only see him as a child. Dejected Hope turned around and walked away. He probably could never impress her...


„Kupo kupo kupo kupo...", said Mog and flew around. Lightning watched her and wondered what she was doing, but said nothing. „Kupo kupo." The Ex-soldier remained silent until she couldn't stand it anymore. „What are you doing?", she finally asked, while Mog turned to her. „I'm bored, kupo.", it said. „Can't you just sit still?" Mog heard the annoyed tone out of her voice and sat down beside her on the grass. „Lightning, kupo?"

„Hm?"

„Um...do you like Hope, kupo?", she asked and saw that Lightning winced slightly and blushed a bit. „Why do you ask?", she asked back and kept looking forward. „You seem to be close, kupo." Lightning just nodded. „We are. But just as friends.", she replied, but Mog didn't believe her. „But it seems Hope wants more than friendship, kupo."

„Don't be ridiculous.", she said. Mog flapped her wings, flew to Lightning and sat down on her knees so she could look at her. „I saw how he's looking at you, kupo. And he cares very much for you, kupo.", it said, while Lightning looked away. „We're just partners, Mog. Nothing more."

„Really, kupo?"

„Really."

Mog sighed, that's not what she'd planned. But there was still a chance to get the truth out of her. „I saw how you look at him too, kupo.", she said, while Lightning glanced at her annoyed. „How do I look at him?" Mog gathered all her courage to not flinch at her gaze. „You look like you're in love with him, kupo."

„Nonsense.", she said and looked away again. Unfortunately for her, her cheeks got a darker shade of red, and if she could Mog would grin broadly. „You can't deny it, kupo. I can see it, kupo.", said Mog with a sly tone in her voice. „There's nothing going on between us, okay?"

„But it doesn't mean that you don't want it, kupo." Lightning looked angrily at Mog and flicked her forehead. „Be quiet now. That's none of you business." Mog almost fell down from her knees, but could hold up herself. „The fact that you want to avoid this topic, is the proof that I'm right, kupo.", said Mog in a sing-song-tone, while Lightning leaned back and looked away from her. „Be quiet." Lightning expected Mog to talk again, but to her surprise she was silent. After a few silent minutes, the pink-haired woman looked around. „I wonder where Hope is...", she murmured. „Maybe something happened to him, kupo?" Lightning immediately got up and went to the direction Hope went, about an hour ago. „Let's go find him." Mog was flying right behind her.


Meanwhile, Hope sat at the crystal pillar, which was far away from the portal. He didn't know how long he sat there and thought about what Lightning said, but it seemed like an eternity. The sun went down by that time, so it would've been only a few hours. He was still depressed about it and always thought if he could win Lightning somehow. But then his naive side announced itself. What if she only said this to fool Mog? It could be that she likes him, but doesn't want to admit it...Hope shook his head and tried to forget the idea. Why should she love him? Hope's thoughts were interrupted when he heard someone calling his name. „Hope!"

„Where are you, kupo?" It was Lightning and Mog. The silver-haired man slapped his forehead. He'd forgotten that he should get something to eat. Monsters probably stole their meal. Hope quickly grabbed a few fruits that hung around to him and went to Lightning and Mog. When the two saw him, they quickly ran to him. „Hope! Where have you been all this time? I—we were worried about you!", she said and held him by his shoulders. „Were you attacked? Are you hurt?", asked Lightning anxiously and examined him. „Everything's fine.", he said, but an attack could be a good excuse why he was gone so long. „I'm all healed." Then Lightning gave him a serious look. „What has attacked you?", she asked and was about to take the gunblade, but was stopped by him. „Just some little monsters. No big deal."

Lightning sighed softly and then looked back at him. „Then let's go back.", said the ex-soldier and went ahead, while Mog looked at Hope. „Come on, kupo. Let's eat something, kupo.", said the Moogle and flew after her. Hope snapped out of his daze and followed them back to the gate. As they arrived there they sat next to each other and ate the fruits that Hope collected in his haste. „These fruits are good.", said Lightning after a moment of silence, to break the ice. „Yes, they taste just like those other fruits from the Archylte-Steppe.", agreed Hope and bit a piece off of it. „Super yummy, kupo!", said Mog, which grabbed another fruit. „Don't eat too much, Mog.", said Lightning. „This is your third."

„But they're so delicious, kupo!"

When the three were done eating, they decided to get some sleep and continue their journey the next day. The fight against the dragon and the giant flan had exhausted them pretty much. „I keep watch.", said Lightning and looked at a severe-looking Hope. „No, I do. Go to sleep." Lightning thought back at the time where Hope first asked her to keep watch, as they were in the Gapra Whitewood. „Do you remember what happened last time?", she asked him teasingly. At that time, Hope hadn't endured even half an hour. Lightning was awake, just to make sure and took over the guard. Hope glared at her, pretending to be mad. „That won't happen again.", he said. She probably would never stop teasing him about the old times. But it was still kinda funny. „Alright. You keep watch.", she said and made herself comfortable.

Vanille and Sazh had told them that the nights in Sunleth were quite cold and they realized that they were absolutely right. At such moments, you would give anything for a warm blanket. But since Lightning still wore her GC uniform she could use the cape as a blanket, unfortunately it was only enough for herself. But as she saw that Hopes clothes seemed to keep him warm enough, she almost didn't feel guilty. Mog finished her fourth fruit and flew over to Hope and Lightning. When she saw that Lightning used her cape as a blanket, she sat on her lap and snuggled under the cape. „Good night, kupo.", it said and fell asleep within seconds. „Night, Hope." The Pink-haired made herself comfortable again, before she closed her eyes. „Night, Light.", he whispered back, while looking for monsters.

Hope stayed awake for hours and kept watching for monsters. Fortunately, the portal shone so bright that he could see everything around him. Whenever he saw a monster in this area, it immediately went away again, as if it's afraid of the gold glowing portal. That was actually quite good. He didn't even has to fight and could go to sleep. He made himself comfortable and just as he was about to close his eyes, he suddenly felt something on his left in his shoulder. Scared to death, he looked at his shoulder but sighed in relief when he saw that Lightning just used his shoulder as a pillow. A few seconds later his heart skipped a beat, as he was aware of it. He looked to her again and watched her. Luckily, she was asleep and wouldn't notice it. Then he raised his hand and put a few strands of hair out of her face. Unconsciously, his hand remained there longer than necessary, and began to stroke her face. It's quite sad that he can't do that when she's awake...Otherwise, she would probably break his hand or do something similar...

Hope's body tensed and he quickly pulled his hand away, as Lightning began to move suddenly and muttered something. He couldn't quite understand what she said, but fortunately she was still asleep. She only moved closer to him and snuggled up against him. The silver-haired man couldn't believe his luck and was happy to be so close to Lightning. He laid his hand gently around her waist and hoped that she won't notice it. He wanted to kiss her on her forehead, but he wouldn't challenge his luck. In the end, Lightning wakes up in the worst case...Hope made himself comfortable, made sure that no monsters are near and closed his eyes. Then he laid his head on her own and breathed in her sweet scent of roses and strawberries. This scent was almost like a drug to him, which he couldn't give up, or wanted to give up. A few minutes later, he fell asleep.


Lightning woke up the next morning when she heard a strange clicking sound. She opened her eyes lazily and as she realized how close she was to Hope, her heart skipped a beat out of pure shock. She heard another click and looked in the direction where it came from and saw Mog with her phone. „Aw, you two are so cute, kupo.", said Mog and giggled. Lightning immediately backed away from Hope and let him fall to the ground. But he was still asleep. „What are you doing?", asked Lightning the Moogle exhorting, as she gave Lightning her phone back. „Look it yourself, kupo." The pink-haired woman took her phone, looked at the screen and saw the photo where she slept with Hope, not even a minute ago. The next picture was the time when she woke up and looked at him in shock. The next pictures were from Hope, who was surrounded by sheep. „Oh! You took photos of this too, kupo?", said Mog and flew closer to her. „What other photos do you have, kupo?"

„That's none of your business. Why did you even take my cellphone?", she asked with a stern tone. „I wanted to show you how cute you two are, kupo.", replied Mog innocently. „And what do you expect of it?"

„Nothing at all, kupo." Lightning just sighed and showed her the other pictures she had on the phone. Most of them were from Serah and herself as they build New Bodhum, some were from Snow and Team NORA. She even had pictures when they were l'Cie. At that time she practically was forced take photos. They all said that it will be a great reminder of the "good old days". Now she knew they were right. „You've got a bunch of Hope, kupo.", said Mog said, giggling, as Lightning had shown her all her photos and put away the phone. „Be quiet.", was the only thing she could say to defense herself. She knew that she has quite a lot of pictures of the fourteen-year-old Hope and even had one of them as the background image, but the other l'Cie were on this picture too.

They'd found out that her cellphone camera also has a self timer and wanted to take a picture with the whole group. They were in Oerba, shortly before they had to fight against Dysley. Sazh and Snow stood behind them all. Snow had put his arm around Sazhs shoulder and the little Chocobo looked out of Sazhs Afro. Before them were Lightning, Hope, Vanille and Fang. Fang stood casually on the side, Hope and Lightning were in the middle. Lightning had her arm around Hopes shoulder and smiled slightly for the camera. Hope was pushed by Vanille to Lightning, so he had to put his arm around her waist to prevent himself from falling. Vanille hugged the two, poor Hope was in the middle and was squeezed between the two. The girl grinned broadly at the camera and made the peace sign.

Although Hope's face was squished on Lightning's chest, he tried to smile as normal as possible and had a bright blush on his face. Lightning liked this picture the most because it's pretty funny and since the whole l'Cie group was together, she chose this for her background. She also had one that looked a bit ordinary, but it wasn't nearly as funny. The only difference in the picture was that Lightning and Hope normally stood side by side, her hand was still on his shoulder, Hope was less red in the face and Vanille perched in front of the camera, grinning widely, and made the peace sign again.

„Let's wake up Hope, kupo." Lightning has been torn from her memories, as Mog began to speak. Without saying a word, she went to Hope, knelt in front of him and shook him lightly. „Hope, wake up." Hope opened his eyes and looked sleepily up to Lightning. „Morning, Light...", he yawned and sat up. „You slept well sleepyhead? I thought you wanted to keep watch.", said the pink-haired woman teasingly, while laying a hand on her hip. „Oh, the monsters were too afraid of the portal to go near us, so I thought that I can sleep as well.", he replied, while standing up and stretching himself. Once they ate some fruits for breakfast, they decided to continue their journey. „Well then, let's go.", said Lightning and headed to the gate, which they opened the day before. Hope and Mog followed her to the Historia Crux.

Once they flew through the Historia Crux, they found themselves in a huge city and it was night there. „Great, it's raining...", said Lightning and was soaking wet within seconds. „Where are we?", asked Hope and looked around. This was a hyper-modern city and he hadn't seen something like this since their time as l'Cie, as they arrived in Eden. „All I can tell is that we're in 400AF."

„Wow...", said Hope and was really amazed that the humans built such a modern city after four hundred years of the fall of Cocoon, as if it never have almost fallen to Grand Pulse. „Let's search for a hideout.", said Lightning. Not that she wasn't amazed at all, but she didn't like rain and wanted to go to a dry place as fast as possible. „Yes.", said Hope, and was about to go, but stopped as the people, who were around them, suddenly transformed into Cie'th. „Cie'th?", said Lightning startled and quickly took her gunblade. „What's going on here?", asked Hope, as he immediately grabbed Mog, which changed into the bow. „It's not important. We should get rid of them now!" Lightning immediately rushed into the battle, Hope transformed the bow into a sword and followed her. „Stay over there!", yelled Lightning, as she dodged an attack. „No, I want to help you!"

„You help me when you stay back!" The two dodged another attack and stood back to back. The Cie'th surrounded them. „I can do this, Light! I know you want to protect me, but how am I supposed to take care of YOU, if you don't even let me?" Lightning looked over her shoulder to him, a little shocked that he still remembers the promise. „You remember it?" Hope looked at her and smiled. „Of course. I would never forget something so important." Lightning smiled back a bit, but quickly remembered that they're in the middle of battle and turned back to their enemies. „Alright. Let's see what you've got." Hope nodded satisfied and focused the elementless magic Ruin in his hand, Lightning did the same.

„Ruinga!", shouted both of them and send their magic to the Cie'th. They were really weak ones, so they were quickly defeated. Shortly after that, however, more Cie'th appeared. „More?" Lightning wanted to fight again, but Hope took her hand and dragged her with him. „Let's run! There are too many of them!" Then Lightning noticed that even Cie'th appeared behind them. Mog had been changed back and followed them. „Do you even know where you're running?", asked Lightning and let him drag her along. „No."

Lightning sighed and said nothing more. As they ran they were suddenly attacked by a dark energy wave. They dodged and looked in the direction in which the attack came from. Then a man with purple hair and black armor landed in front of them. „Caius...", muttered Lightning and watched him closely. „So, you're still alive.", said Caius and looked at them annoyed. „You're really annoying."

„What do you mean?", asked Hope, who held his sword, if it comes to a fight. Caius didn't answer his question. „Then you'll just die here. Since you know the forbidden history, you're not allowed stay alive." Then they were surrounded by a horde Cie'th again. „Not again.", said Lightning annoyed and fought with Hope against them. Once they were all defeated, Caius disappeared. They simply ran down the path and met him again. He sent them more Cie'th to them and disappeared again.
„That's so annoying.", said Lightning as they defeated the next Cie'th horde. „What did he mean by the "forbidden history"?", asked the Hope the pink-haired woman, as they ran and defeated every Cie'th, who got in their way. „I don't know...but we're going to find out." They went on and met Caius again. „Why do you attack us anyway?", asked Lightning irritated, while Caius looked grimly at them. „You are responsible for this paradox. And the fact that you're here, can only be the result of a paradox."

„But we try to get rid of these paradoxes!", yelled Hope, and made himself ready to attack him, but Lightning stopped him by laying a hand on his shoulder and taking a stepped forward herself. „Why shouldn't we be here?", she asked, looking at him just as grim. „Because you were finished off two hundred years ago. It can't be possible that you're still alive."

Lightning looked at Hope. „Apparently we travel back two hundred years sometime.", she said, while Hope nodded but said nothing. „Enough talking.", said Caius. „Time for you to die." Then a new horde Cie'th came. With an irritated sigh, the two went into the battle. After they defeated the many Cie'th they sought a safe place, and found it. After all, the people didn't transform into monsters. One of them told them that they were in "Academia" and gave them a map of the city. „Say, have you seen a strange, golden glowing structure around here?", asked Hope.

„Yes, I have.", said the woman, and showed them on the map that she'd seen something in the western part of the city in the north. The two time travelers thanked her for the help and ran straight to that point. During their run they were repeatedly attacked by Caius and Cie'th. Just before they were able to turn on a street a huge Cie'th appeared an attacked them. On its arms he had long, thick tentacles, which he stuck into the ground. They came back up again and attacked them, while the other parts created a protective barrier around him.

Together they destroyed the tentacles and attacked the monster directly. Then it grabbed Lightning with its tentacles and squeezed her tightly. „Lightning!", cried Hope anxiously. Then he concentrated very much magic in his sword and attacked the Cie'th and the attack was so powerful that he sliced through his enemy and defeated it. Lightning fell to the ground and breathed deeply. Hope was immediately by her side and helped her up. „Are you okay, Light?", he asked and healed her.
„Yeah. Well done, Hope.", she said and smiled at him briefly, before they looked at the disappearing monster. She went closer to it and suddenly an artifact appeared in front of her. „Now we can get to the next time.", she said and took it in her hand. Before they could go, they heard footsteps behind them and turned around, ready to fight. Their eyes widened slightly as they saw that Yeul came around the corner.

„Yeul?" She came closer to them. A soothing aura surrounded her that let them almost forget that Cie'th were around, but not a single monster came right now. „This is certainly another Yeul again.", said Lightning and waited until she approached them. Yeul nodded and stood in front of them. „What's going on here? Where do all the Cie'th come from?", asked Hope and waited for her answer. „This is a paradox."

„Is it because of us? Was Caius right, after all?", asked Hope, the two women. „Certainly not. After all we want to get rid of these paradoxes.", said Lightning. „But be careful. Your journey won't be easy. And Caius isn't here.", added Yeul. Then she looked through Etros eyes and collapsed. Hope caught her and laid her gently on the ground. „Yeul!" Lightning knelt beside him and looked down at her. „I saw a future where people could laugh...where they lived in peace.", she said and smiled at the time travelers. Then she closed her eyes forever.

„Sounds like a beautiful future.", said Hope after a long silence. „Yes...we should go and fulfill her last wish." Hope nodded and soon Yeuls body began to fade. They both got up and went to the time gate, without getting into more pointless battles. „What did she mean with "Caius isn't here"? We juts saw him.", asked Hope confused, as they ran to the gate. „I don't know...But I'm sure we're going to find it out soon."

Lightning quickly opened the portal and went with Hope and Mog into the Historia Crux, before Cie'th could attack them. As they left the Historia Crux they found themselves in a tower, lit with red lights. „Where are we?", asked the pink-haired woman, as she wrung her wet clothes off and looked around. „Augusta Tower, 300AF, kupo." said Mog. „How do you know where we are?", asked Lightning and raised an eyebrow. „I read it there, kupo.", she replied, while pointing to a holoscreen, where "Augusta Tower" was written on. „Look.", said Hope and looked around carefully. „It looks like a maze."

„I'm sure that we have to go to the top floor, kupo."

„How do you know?", asked Lightning the Moogle. „Well, the best thing happens always at the top floor, right, kupo?" Hope giggled and poked Mog. „You're actually not so wrong. Light do you remember the Taejin's Tower? We had to go to the top floor too and fought against this fal'Cie."

„Yes, I remember that.", she said and took the lead. „Why should it be different here?" They went along the curved way and then they saw a platform on which was a small room with computers and the exits where on the wrong places. On their side was a terminal that might trigger something. Without thinking, Lightning activated the terminal and the platform turned in the right direction. Between them appeared a way so that they could go to the other side. „I see...that's how we can explore the area.", said Hope thoughtfully and went with the two to the other side. After they'd moved a few more platforms and defeated a few monsters, they activated another terminal, which allowed them to go up a few they went to the core of the tower and drove up as far as possible. „Over there is the next portal.", said Lightning and points to the portal, which stood in a corner right at the edge of the tower. „Looks like it's open.", said Hope, as he looked at it closely. „We don't need an artifact?"

„Doesn't look like that, but I think we still need something important from here." And then they went through the next maze until they arrived another large terminal. „Look. This card surely helps us to get to the top floor.", said Hope when he found an access card E-50, which could possibly bring them to the 51st floor. Then they went back and made their way to the next gate. Hope was right when he said that the portal was open and then they entered the Historia Crux again.

A.N. Yay I managed to put more fluff in here^^ I spontaneously got the idea with this conversation between Light and Mog. I actually didn't want Hope to eavesdrop, but I thought it's a good idea when he hears what Light says. And I hope that Caius is as ooc as I wanted him to be. 'cause ya know the Caius you meet in this time is really ooc. It's also the first time that I have a two-part-chapter.

PLEASE REVIEW!x3 (Update in one week from now)