A.N. Here's Chappy 6! Um some of you guys wish that I shouldn't abandon this story...Well I can assure you that I defiantly won't abandon it. Because, as I told you in the first chappy, the story is finished a long time agoxD That's why I can update weekly.

Time Traveler

Chapter 6: Proto fal'Cie Adam pt 2

Once again they passed through the Historia Crux, the little group found themselves in the Augusta Tower again, only this time it glowed blue. „Why are we here again?", asked Lightning confused. „We're in 200AF, kupo.", said Mog. „Maybe everything, what Caius said, happens here...", suggested Hope, while Mog nodded. „Certainly, kupo. Let's look around, kupo."

„First, we need to get out of here.", said Lightning. They were in one of the platforms, where the exits were in the wrong direction. „Maybe we can get out, if we use these terminals?", suggested Hope and turned to the first one, which had red holoscreen. „Paradox effect localized!", said a female voice warningly, while Hope jumped out of surprise. „Oh, that was probably the wrong one..." Lightning activated the next terminal. „Welcome to the Academy Datanet file.", said the same voice. „It requires a password...", muttered Lightning, but loud enough for Mog and Hope to hear. „Let me try it.", said Hope and pushed her aside in to get to the computer. He thought for a while before he typed in a few numbers.

„Access has been accepted.", the voice said and read what was in the database. „Proto fal'Cie Adam is an artificial fal'Cie that oversees the city of Academia. This man-made entity handles all of the roles previously filled by the Cocoon fal'Cie. Adam is an all-powerful being who protects the lives and interests of the citizenry—a fal'Cie for the people."

„Yes, what fal'Cie, that really wants to protect the people, would turn everyone into Cie'th?", said Lightning, slightly annoyed. „Looks as if the Proto fal'Cie became an independent existence...", murmured Hope thoughtful. „Oh great, then your plan went completely awry.", said Lightning before she realized that the platform turned around and they could finally go out there.

They went out and saw a few scientists, but they disregarded Hope and Lightning, but they shrugged it off and just went to the next platform. „Maybe we can find something out here too?", suspected Lightning and activated the next terminal. „Paradox effect localized!", said this voice again, before Hope activated the next one. „Welcome to the Academy Datanet file." Hope tipped in the password and the voice spoke again. „The Proto fal'Cie Project began in 13AF, under the direction of the Academy. The objective was to develop an artificial fal'Cie in order to re-levitate Cocoon. The project was proposed and designed by Alyssa Zaidelle, and directed by Hope Estheim, Serah Farron and Snow Villiers. The Proto fal'Cie Project is currently underway in Augusta Tower, the Academy's central network facility."

„You weren't there, but you're mentioned anyway.", said Lightning, as the voice died down. They watched a video, on another terminal, that showed them what happened in Academia in 400AF. „How can that be? Why can this thing show us what happened in the future?", asked Lightning, as they watched the video. „Who knows...?"

„How do you know the passwords anyway, Hope?"

„I was just guessing.", said Hope. „Was pretty easy to find out the passwords." Lightning didn't say anything and went out from the small room. „Did you also notice that these guys here seem to have no presence?", she asked the silver haired man, who walked along beside her. „I've noticed it too...", he said, looking at the middle way, where they have to go next. „Light! There's Caius!", he exclaimed suddenly and they immediately ran to the next way. Caius went into one of these rooms. „A piece on this way's missing...", said Lightning when they arrived at an impasse. On the other side was the rest of the way.

Hope saw a terminal and activated it and a plate came up from the bottom. It was probably a kind of a lift. They went on and stopped, as suddenly Alyssa appeared in front of them. „Alyssa?", called Hope in shock and went with Lightning and Mog to her, Caius has been forgotten. Alyssa looked at them for a while before she spoke. „Oh, it's you.", she said and bowed to Hope. „What an honor to face my creator."

„Creator?", asked Lightning and looked at him with a raised eyebrow. „Yes. Director Hope Estheim developed the Proto fal'Cie and also the AI."

„AI?", asked Lightning again, who didn't understand all this. „AI is the abbreviation for Artificial Intelligence. I thought this could be very useful, so I incorporated them into my plan.", said Hope, while looking back to Alyssa. „We want to know what happened since 013AF.", he said then in his business-like tone. They just had to know why the Proto fal'Cie is out of control. Alyssa nodded and led them to the nucleus of this tower, where they use a lift to arrived the top floor.

„Where's Caius?", asked Lightning, remembering that they'd seen him before. „The Caius unity came here recently. He and Yeul went to the top floor.", said the Alyssa copy while they drove up. „Yeul's here?", asked Hope confused. For what reason would Yeul be here? Suddenly warning signs rang out and tower glowed red. „What's that?", asked Hope alarmed. „Could be a paradox."

Then a holographic video appeared in front of them, where Alyssa, Snow and Serah were shown. They were in the tower and worked on the fal'Cie but then they were attacked and killed by mechanical monsters. „Serah!", called Lightning, as they looked in shock at the video. Hope thought for a while and put one and one together. „Those were the AI! They've manipulated the whole machine and killed them all."

„And the corrupt fal'Cie was built by corrupt AI.", added Lightning. „That's why the fal'Cie's so out of control, kupo." Hope nodded approvingly. Then the same monster attacked them. „Looks as if they want to get rid of us as well.", said Lightning and took her Gunblade. Together with Hope they defeated the monsters quickly. Then the Alyssa copy appeared again. „If they continue like this they'll eventually put an end to the entire human race...", said Lightning, while Hope nodded. „Exactly. The humans just are in their way."

„I'm afraid so.", said Alyssa, while Hope and Lightning glared at her angrily. Suddenly the lift stopped. „I'm sorry, but now that you know the forbidden history, you're not allowed to stay alive." Then the false Alyssa disappeared. „Oh great and how are we going to get out of here now?", asked Lightning. „I think that here's also a terminal that'll bring us to the top floor, once we activated it.", said Hope. „But first we have to find it."

„I'm looking for it, kupo! You wait here, kupo.", said Mog and flew off. „And what if you need a password?", said Lightning after her, but Mog was too far away and didn't hear it. Lightning sighed and sat down on the edge. „Whatever. Then we just wait here." Hope nodded and sat down next to her. „Well, Hope...", began Lightning, after a moment of silence. „Is this promise we'd given each other in Palumpolum so important to you?"

„Of course. Is it not important to you?", he asked, his face was slightly red. „Of course it is. I just thought that you'd forgotten it in these ten years already." Hope at her in shock. „I remember everything you've told me. I would never forget something so important. Also, without you, I wouldn't be the one who I am now." When Hope saw that she gave him one of her rare smiles, his blush grew and looked away from her quickly.

„You know everything?", asked the pink-haired girl, slightly amused, while Hope nodded. „Uh, Light? There's something I want to tell you...",, said Hope sheepishly, while Lightning gave him her undivided attention. „What is it?" Before Hope could speak, they heard Mog. „Kupo kupo kupooo~!", she cried. Lightning and Hope looked at her and saw that she was attacked by monsters. Immediately, the two took their weapons and attacked the monsters from distance. Then Mog arrived them as the monsters were defeated. Mog gasped for breath before she spoke again. „I've found it, kupo. It's activated and we can go to the top floor, kupo."

„Well done, Mog.", said Lightning and activated the terminal and used the card that they got in 300AF. Hope said nothing, he was too disappointed because of the interruption. When they finally arrived the top floor, they still had to go up a glass staircase. The three time travelers were quite shocked when they saw Yeul in front of the main computer. „Yeul? Are you alone?", asked Hope, as they arrived. Yeul turned to them and nodded.

„This is for you.", she said and handed Lightning another artifact. „Yeul, is that Caius here in this tower real?", asked Hope. „Why shouldn't he be real?", asked the ex-soldier. „It could be that he's artificial as well. Do you remember the Caius we've met in the Bresha Ruins? He was different than the one we've met in Academia."

„The Caius, whom you've seen here is real.", said Yeul. „He brought me here and he'll take me away again, when we're done here." Hope thought for a while before he spoke again. „Wait, this is 200AF. Does this mean that you're the same Yeul, we've seen in Oerba?" Yeul nodded approvingly. „Do you know who's behind all this? I'm sure the AI wouldn't have done this all alone. Someone else has to pull the strings.", said Lightning.

„That's right.", said the seeress. „Your enemy is here in this tower. This portal will lead you to him." She pointed to the time gate, that stood next to the main computer. Hope took the artifact and went to the gate to open it, but Lightning remained there. „Why do I have the eyes Etro?", asked the pink-haired women. „The goddess herself has blessed you. She was the one who awakened you from crystal stasis and freed you from the brands. Because of this the flow of time was messed up, the paradoxes appeared and it was possible to travel through time."

„I see..."

„By solving the paradoxes, however, the time line will be restored and becomes the way it should be."

„Then paradoxes won't appear just because of us?", said Hope, who sounded quite relieved. „I told you that we do everything right.", said Lightning and went to him with Mog. „So, let's save the future." Hope smiled broadly and nodded, and after they said goodbye to Yeul they went through the portal that led them to a large room. Suddenly they were attacked by two mechanical arms. „Look out!", said Lightning and Hope dodged the attack. Then the Proto Adam fal'Cie appeared in front of them. It hovered on the brink of the abyss and attacked them with his arms.

Hope quickly grabbed Mog, which changed into the bow and dodged another attack. Lightning took her Gunblade and attacked the fal'Cie. Once Hope dodging another attack he shot arrows at the fal'Cie, while Lightning attacking him with magic. After a few minutes they defeated the fal'Cie. Mog turned back and Hope and Lightning caught their breath. „I have another theory, of what could've happened.", said Hope, who's still completely out of breath. „Shoot."

„It could be that the Proto fal'Cie itself is a paradox. It could have traveled back in time and manipulated all the AI."

„Sounds reasonable. But wait...if he can travel through time, then—" Lightning couldn't finish her sentence, because in that moment the Proto fal'Cie appeared again. „—He can reconstruct itself many times...", finished Hope the sentence. „We have to get rid of him somehow, kupo! If this paradox remains, then..."

„Yeah.", interrupted Lightning. „We know what it will happen. And since he can travel through time it's no use to fight him to get to the original eventually...No matter how often we'll defeat it, it would only reconstruct itself again..." Suddenly Lightning felt dizzy and got a pretty severe headache. She held her head and wasn't able to concentrate herself on the battle. „Light, look out!", said Hope, and dragged her out of the way, as the Proto fal'Cie attacked again.

Hope looked at her shocked when he saw these golden signs in her eyes again. She had another vision. A few seconds later, the sign went out and Lightning regained consciousness. „We have to defeat him somehow.", said Lightning who ignored Hopes question if she was alright „I've seen that we'll become AI, if we don't get rid of this thing!"

„This isn't good...", said the silver-haired man and dodged another attack with her. „The fal'Cie can manipulate time...But that doesn't mean that we can't either. I hope it works.", she said, turned to Hope and glared at him angrily. Hope flinched at her glare. „That's all your fault, Hope!", she snapped at him, while Hope stood there confused, not knowing why she's suddenly so angry at him. „It's your fault this all happened!"

„But—"

„No buts! Your damn machine is driving me nuts!", she yelled and ran towards the fal'Cie to attack him head-on. „She's right...I wish I hadn't developed this plan...", said Hope more to himself. Lightning remained with the right foot right on the edge of the platform and leaned forward to the fal'Cie to stab it, but then he suddenly disappeared. The pink-haired woman threatened to fall down, but Hope held her arm and pulled her to him. „You did it, Light! But...what have you done?", he asked. „I don't know..."

Suddenly she got a new vision of Hope in a strange place fighting alone against Caius and was killed. Then she saw herself, as she fought against him too on the same place. He then appeared behind her and stabbed her. „...ght!...ight! Light! Can you hear me?" Lightning regained consciousness and looked confused at Hope. She was lying on the floor and Hope held her up. „Hope?" Lightning's voice broke a little. Then she looked around, confused and sat up. „I'm still alive?"

Hope sighed in relief. „What a relief! What did you see?", he asked, while looking at her anxiously. „Oh, nothing important.", she replied, while standing up again. „Nothing important?", he asked, confused and went with her back to the main computer. „Yes, nothing important.", she repeated, activated the main computer and exposed the way to the next time. „Let's go.", said the pink-haired woman and went through the time gate. „Okay..." Hope and Mog followed her without another word into the Historia Crux.

Then they returned to Academia, but this time the sun was shining, the people around them were happy and no fal'Cie ruled the city. „We're back in 4XXAF, kupo.", informed Mog. „This is the future that Yeul has seen, right?", asked Hope, while looking around in amazement. „Yes.", replied the ex-soldier, who was finally able to admire the beauty of the city. „Hey!", called a female voice to them, Lightning would always recognize this voice. They turned toward the voice and saw that Serah, Snow and Alyssa were going to them.

„Welcome to the future you've saved.", said Snow, while grinning at the time travelers. „Are they real?", whispered Lightning to Hope, who looked at them stunned to meet them here of all places. Mog flew to them and examined them. „Hey, is that how you welcome old friends?", said Snow and poked Mog. Serah immediately ran to them and hugged them both. „Nice to see you again!"

„Yeah, we haven't seen each other for ages! How long has it been?", asked the giant, while looking at Alyssa. „It's been exactly 390 years."

„How did you come here?", asked Lightning confused and returned the embrace. „We'll tell you later." Then Snow looked at the small Moogle. „Who's your new friend, huh?", he asked and poked Mog again. „This is Mog. We've found her in Oerba.", said Hope. „How cute!", said Serah and hugged Mog tightly. „You can let go of me now, kupo."

„It can even speak.", said Snow, grinning. „Let's go back to the headquarters, okay?", said Serah and let go of the Moogle, then took her sisters hand and led her to the largest building in the city. The others followed them and they hadn't even had to walk half the way. On the ground were treadmills, which brings you without much effort from A to B. The headquarters was equipped with all sorts, new-fangled gadgets.

In the middle was something like a large, green hologram ball and floating platforms, which are still operated manually, brings you to the Different floors. Serah, Snow and Alyssa told them that they could travel to the future with the help of time capsules. They actually slept during the last 390 years, while the time outside the time capsule was flying. The time inside the capsule stopped and they haven't aged a tiny bit.

And then they told them something about the Proto fal'Cie plan. „We've checked the oracle drive one day and saw that you've fought against the fal'Cie.", said Snow. „Then we heard Lightnings outburst of anger. "Your damn machine is driving me nuts!".", he said, laughing and Serah continued on. „And we've also heard what Hope said: "I wish I hadn't developed this plan...". So we thought about the whole plan again and gave it up.", said Serah and smiled at them. „So we haven't defeated him. It just never existed in the first place.", said Lightning thoughtfully.

The three nodded. „I think I've also taken the wrong way. We've seen that in the future...I mean here, in the present...what would've happened if the fal'Cie exists. It would only become a new Cocoon and we're back on the beginning. It should rather be a technology that was developed by humans that let Cocoon float without the help of the fal'Cie.", said Hope thoughtfully.

„Exactly. We've already found something.", said Alyssa. „There are five Graviton Cores that could allow Cocoon to float again. Unfortunately, they all ended up in different times..."

„We're going to find them. Mog said that she can find hidden objects.", said Hope, and Mog just nodded. „Do you know where we can find them?" Alyssa went to the big computer in the middle and typed something in. „According to the records, strange time disturbances were seen. It could be possible that these are the Graviton Cores. They were seen in New Bodhum 003AF, in the Bresha Ruins 005AF, in Oerba 200AF, in Yaschas-Massiv 100AF and probably also here in Academia 400AF. More precise locations aren't known."

„Then we're going to search here first.", said Lightning. „But perhaps it's in the alternative Academia, kupo." They all looked confused at Mog. „What do you mean?", said Serah, while Mog started to explain. „I mean in Academia where the fal'Cie still exists, kupo. We can also travel back to that time, kupo." Lightning just nodded, though she listened with only half an ear. New Bodhum, 003AF. She would go back to the time where she belonged. But she couldn't stay there. She had to save the future with Hope.

And it would be better if they don't meet anyone there. They wouldn't understand. „By the way...", began Lightning and turned to Snow and Serah. „How was the wedding?" The couple saw Lightning in shock. Either they were shocked that Lightning was interested in their wedding, or they were reminded of something really important. „We're not married yet.", said Serah. „We...uh...wanted to wait for you..." Lightning looked at her with a raised eyebrow. „You've been waiting ten years, no wait 390 years, just because I was gone?"

„That's right, sis. Serah wanted you to be the maid of honor. That's why we've searched for you. And after Hope was done with school we told him that you're gone and I'll tell you he was really angry."

„What do you expect? You told me this one year later.", said the silver-haired man and glared at Snow. „However, before that I've been looking for you with Sazh and once we told Hope he helped us."

„Why did you wait before you've told Hope that I was gone?", said Lightning and crossed her arms over her chest. „We didn't want to distract him from school. We knew when we told him earlier he would want to help us. And we couldn't do this, otherwise he would've been expelled from school.", said Snow. „Wow, you think ahead. I'm impressed.", said Lightning and earned a chuckle from Hope, Serah and Alyssa. „Actually...", whispered Serah to her. „It was Sazhs idea. "Let the kid alone until he's finished school.", he said."

„I should've known it.", said the older Farron, before she turned to Hope. „Shall we go then?" Hope nodded and went with her to the exit, after they said goodbye to the others. „Shall we first go to New Bodhum?", asked Hope, as they searched for the next portal. „Yeah. But it would be better if no one sees us."

„You think so?" Lightning nodded. „Maybe something will change in the future."

„And what would change? We're not worried and looking for you, because we know what's going on and don't think you were dead?" Lightning just sighed and rolled her eyes. „Okay, okay, we're going to tell them what's going on." Hope and nodded satisfied and as they found the next time gate they entered the Historia Crux and traveled back to New Bodhum, 003AF. Once there, they decided to find the Graviton Core first.

They searched the whole area around the portal, far away from the city. Mog was flying around and tried sense the Graviton Core. Suddenly Mogs crystal bobble flashed and she flew to somewhere and pointed at something. „Here is something, kupo!", said Mog and waited for Lightning and Hope to catch up. „Then do your thing and make it visible.", said Lightning, while Mog and nodded and did the same as in Sunleth Waterscape and then the Graviton Core appeared out of nowhere. „This is number one.", said Lightning, took the crystal and put it in her red bag that is attached to her leg.

Mog glanced into the distance and then turned back to them. „Serah is coming, kupo." Lightning's eyes widened slightly. She didn't want to talk to her, but now it was too late. „What will she think when she sees you, Hope? You shouldn't be in this time! Hide!"

„But—" Hope couldn't finish his sentence, because Lightning shoved Mog into his arms and pushed him into a bush. Then Serah approached her. „Lightning were have you been last night?", she asked anxiously. Probably only a few hours have passed since she was pulled into the gate. „Well...on patrol.", said Lightning, but Serah wasn't convinced. „The whole night?" Lightning nodded, while Serah sighed and crossed her arms over her chest. „Okay and now tell me the truth, please."

„Okay...But you won't believe me."

„Then start to explain it to me." Hope and Mog watched the two sisters from the bush and when they didn't know better, they would think that Serah is the big sister. They are just too similar, thought the silver-haired man and listened to their chit chat. „I was in the future.", said the older Farron, while Serah began to laugh. „Stop laughing.", said Lightning and looked at her annoyed. „Shall I show you my souvenir from the future, as a proof?" Lightning went to the bush and dragged Hope and Mog out of it, then looked back at the shocked Serah. „Hope?! Is that you?! What are you doing here?"

„He's from the future.", said the older of the two sisters and looked at her slightly amused. „Really?" Hope just grinned sheepishly. „Yes, I should've been seven years in the future, but I wanted to travel with Light." Serah was silent for a few minutes. „We should go back. Hope and I have to save the future.", said Lightning and turned around to go back to the time gate. „What do you mean? What will happen in the future?", she asked, while holding her sisters arm. „You're going to see it soon. Just wait until the future Hope gets in contact with you."
„But I want to help you!"

„You'll help me in the future. So wait, okay?" Serah nodded hesitantly and let her go. „Take care, okay?"
„Sure. Come on, Hope.", said Lightning and went ahead. „See you, Serah.", said Hope, as he passed her and ran after Lightning. „Kupo kupo!" Mog was flying around Serah and followed them, while the younger Farron stood there and watched them. Lightning, Hope and Mog went quickly back to the time gate and entered the Historia Crux.


After they searched for hours at various times, they found all five Graviton Cores and went back to the headquarters in Academia 4XXAF. „We found them.", said Hope, as they approached Serah, Snow and Alyssa. „Super now we can begin!", said Alyssa excitedly. „I'll help you. I want to make some researches.", said Hope, while looking at Lightning as if he asks her for permission. „Why do you look at me like this?", she asked, while raising an eyebrow. „Is that okay with you? We have to stay here for a while."

„Sure, just do your thing. I can't stop you anyway. But I take a walk around the town. This way I keep myself occupied." Hope nodded and smiled broadly. „Okay, shall I call you when everything's finished?"

„Yes." Lightning and Hope exchanged their numbers before the older Farron left the headquarters and strolled through the city, while the others went to work. The ex-soldier looked at the city precisely and tried to memorize everything, so that she'll find the way back. This city was so huge and modern, that she thought that it would put even Eden in the shade. She walked along every road, every retreat, every street, market roads, bridges, everything.

In the end she ended up in the southwestern part of town. She looked up at the sky and noticed that the sun would go down soon, so she decided to go back. She went a few minutes and then found herself back in the same place where she started. I surely turned into a wrong way., she thought and went on. In this neighborhood, she couldn't see the big Academy building, and became disoriented.

Finally, she found a bridge, but it only led to the other part of town and not to the HQ. Wasn't a stair somewhere?, she wondered and went around, but eventually came back into the place where she started. I didn't get lost, did I? Lightning usually never got lost ever. All the ways were always stored in her memory and she immediately knew where to go next, but this town was probably so huge that she probably mistook the two neighborhoods.

She searched her pockets for something and as she didn't find what she was looking for she held her forehead. Right, Hope has the city map...Then she got the idea to just call the silver-haired man and ask him for help, but her pride won't let her do this. It doesn't allow her to give up that easily and call for help. So she continued her search for the right way, but then ended up in the southwestern part of the town once again.

Lightning was so focused on finding the right way, that she jumped when her phone began to ring. She took it out of her bag and answered the call. „Yes?", she said into the phone and waited for a response. „Lightning, where are you? It's getting dark." It was Hope, and he sounded quite concerned. „I'm almost there." She said and went on. „...Did you get lost?", he asked after a moment of silence. She could literally see his smile when he asked her that.
„Of course not.", she replied, as calmly as ever, so he doesn't realize that she's lying. „Liar." Apparently, he knows her too well to know when she's lying...„Tell me where you are and I'll pick you up.", he said, she could hear that he already is on his way. „Uh...", she said, looking around again. „I've perhaps ended up in the western district again..."

„And what do you see?"

„Lots of shops. And big stairs...there's not so much to see."

„I know where you are. Just stay there and wait for me."

„Hmm.", she replied, ended the conversation and put her phone into her pocket. Then she sat down on a bench, crossed her legs and arms and waited impatiently for Hope. A few minutes later, Hope finally arrived and went directly to her. „Here I am."

Lightning looked up at him and stood up. „Spare me your smile, Hope.", she said annoyed and went ahead. „Wrong direction.", she heard Hope say. Lightning sighed annoyed and went to the other direction, while Hope was walking beside her and laughed. „How did you find me so fast?", asked Lightning to keep him from laughing. „I've researched a bit and I memorized the city map.", he replied, his wide grin was still on his face. Lightning then fell silent for the rest of the way.

When they arrived at the HQ Hope led her into a room, once they decided to spend the night here. „You'll sleep here.", he said after he unlocked the room and opened the door. „It has a bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, everything you need. I also gave you a few things for the night." Lightning looked around discreetly. It was nicely decorated, she would lack for nothing.

„So I have to go back to work. Well, good night we certainly won't see each other until tomorrow.", said Hope, and went out of the room. „Don't overwork yourself, Hope." She called after him, exhorting. „Of course not. Good night, Light."

„Night." Lightning closed the door and went into the bathroom to take a shower. She hated being always so dirty when they travel. This time it wasn't as bad as on her first trip. In that time there weren't many options to clean herself. Just the thought of it let her cringe in disgust. She banished these thought quickly, took off her clothes and climbed into the shower.

She sighed pleasantly as the warm water fell on her body. She'd really needed this after all the fighting. Then she searched for the shower gel and shampoo and found it on a small rack. Oddly, they smelled either of roses or strawberries. Lightning shrugged her shoulders and just took something. That's what she used anyway, so it didn't bother her at all.

When she was finished she took her towel and wrapped it around her body. What she also noticed was that the pattern of the towel was a big red rose. She also saw that she even had a small washing machine and thought that her uniform needed to be washed too. So she put all her clothes into the machine, put in detergent and fabric softener, which also smelled of roses, and turned it on.

Then she went into the bedroom and saw her sleeping clothes were neatly folded on the bed. It became really odd now and she stared blankly at the clothes with a raised eyebrow. It was a pink, plushy pajamas with lots of little strawberries on it. Slowly Lightning wondered if Hope has done this on purpose...

But since she had nothing else to wear, she just put on the pajamas and went made herself something to eat. Then she brushed her teeth, the toothpaste was at least not with strawberry flavor or the like, hung up her washed clothes went to bed.

On the next day the two were ready to travel to the next time, around noon. They thought that they would now go to the time where Cocoon will fall and that they would have to fight against Caius. The final showdown. „There's a portal near, that was broken, but we were able to repair it.", said Alyssa cheerfully and took out an artifact that she hid behind her back. „We've found the next artifact, therefore you can save the search for it."

„Thank you, Alyssa.", said Hope and took the crystal. Lightning suddenly felt dizzy again. She leaned on Hope, who looked worried at her. Serah and Snow saw that something was wrong with her and ran to her, but she couldn't hear their voices clearly. And then she saw another vision. In this vision, she saw that she, Hope and Mog got separated in the Historia Crux. She also saw that Alyssa works with Caius and that the artifact is a trap that will lead them directly to him, to this dark place, where Caius will defeat them. Then Lightning regained consciousness and found herself once again back in Hope's arms. „Light! Are you okay?", he exclaimed, looking at her pretty worried. „No need to shout.", said Lightning. „I'm fine."

„What happened?", asked Serah and helped Lightning up. „She kinda became a...farseer." As Hope saw their bewildered faces, he began to explain everything to them. „Oh my God, that's terrible!", said Serah horrified. „We know that.", said Lightning. „And you still want to change the future? Whenever things change you have to see those visions, sis and...!"

„I have to do it, Snow. I can't allow that Caius completes his plan.", she said in a rather serious tone. „What's his plan?", asked Hope, surprised that she knows more than him, even though they both traveled together. „He told us, but you were unconscious by that time. He said that he wants to destroy the history itself. He wants to take the chaos of Valhalla in the real world, so that time is no longer flowing."

„This is terrible!", exclaimed Serah more terrified than before and looked shocked along with Snow, and Hope. Lightning looked at Alyssa and saw that she pretends to be shocked too. „He said he wants to save Yeul. So she would never get any visions and doesn't have to die."

„One could almost think that Caius is the good guy..." said Snow, but Lightning shook her head. „He's one of the bad guys, like you would say. No matter what his purposes are it's not right to destroy the flow of time."

„She's right.", said Hope and nodded. „We have to stop him. By the way...what you have actually seen in the vision?"

„Oh, nothing important.", answered Lightning a bit too fast. „Nothing important?"

„Yes, nothing important. Let's go.", said the older Farron impatiently and irritated. „We'll follow you to the future with the time capsule. We want to see how the new Cocoon ascends into heaven. We also need to save Fang and Vanille.", said Snow, while grinning at the two time travelers. Lightning nodded and looked around. „Where's Mog?"
„I'm here, kupo!", said Mog and flew to them. „I just wanted to see something, kupo."

„I have to talk with you two briefly.", said Lightning and pushed Snow and Serah away from Alyssa and Hope. „What's the matter sis?", asked Snow, while Lightning glared at him. „I'm still not your sister. Anyway, you have to arrest Alyssa.", whispered the older Farron. „Why?", asked Serah, confused. „She works for Caius. I've seen it. She will try to sabotage us." Snow and Serah believed her and nodded, then they went back to the two and said goodbye.

Lightning was silent all the way to the time portal. Although she knew that this was a trap, they had to go. They had to face Caius. „Why are you so quiet?", asked Hope and looked at her anxiously.

„I'm always quiet.", said Lightning with her soldier voice that Hope hadn't heard for a long time. Hope said nothing more. She could be really stubborn when she doesn't want to talk about something. The three entered the Historia Crux, once they opened the gate with the artifact. „Stay close.", said Lightning and made herself ready to come what will. „Why? Will something happen, kupo?"

„Did you see that something will happen here?"

„No, I just have a weird feeling.", she said with an emotionless tone in her voice, so they won't find out that she lied. Suddenly, a wheel broke from the Historia Crux and flew directly toward them. They dodged quickly. However Hope, Mog and Lightning were separated. Then Mog was pulled into the gap. „Kupopo!"

„Mog!", called Hope and flew to the Moogle and held her tightly in his arms, but then he was also pulled in it. „Hope!" Lightning held out her hand and tried to take Hope, but they were both pulled in different directions and disappeared.


Hope awoke in adark place. He was all alone and although Mog was gone, he could still conjure the bow, but it looked transparent. He was immediately confronted with Caius and fought against him, but Caius was too strong. In his last attack Hope lost his weapon and fell to his knees. Suddenly, the violet-haired appeared behind him. „Sweet dreams.", he said and stabbed him with his huge sword. Hope then fell to the ground and then disappeared.

Meanwhile, Lightning went through the same dark place. She met several Yeuls from different times, who told her everything what's going on. This place was called „The void beyond", a shadow of Valhalla. They said that even here was no time and even life and death played no role. Then they told her something her heart's desire would be fulfilled, but Lightning didn't quite understand this.

She went on and met Caius on a throne, that was standing on crystals. „I've been waiting for you.", said Caius, who sat bored on the throne. „Couldn't wait until I finish you off?", said Lightning and took her Gunblade. „You can not defeat me.", he said and attacked her with dark magic. Lightning blocked the attack and made a counterattack and shot him. Caius didn't move and before the bullet could hit him, his eyes suddenly glowed and time froze around them.

Then he got up from the throne, was hovering to the ground, landed directly in front of her and walked past her. He let the time flow and again Lightning's eyes widened when she saw that Caius had suddenly disappeared. She felt his presence behind him, turned around and attacked, but he dodged. „Your little friend has given up much faster than you.", he said.

„What have you done to Hope?", she asked angrily. „He's in a place where he finds happiness. He has accepted his defeat and now rests in peace." Then Caius attacked her with a dark energy wave. „You'll pay for that!", yelled Lightning, as she dodged the attack and was about to attack as well, but Caius was gone. Then he suddenly appeared behind her and stabbed her. He lifted her up with the sword and held her up there. „Now it's time you go into your dream world as well.", he said, while Lightning was getting weaker and lost consciousness.

A.N. So this is the longest chappy (except for the endings of course)! In some parts I tried to let them say the same things like in the game, but this part, where the Alyssa kopie calls Hope her creator was a good idea, I thinkxDD And like in the game the ones who stay in the past, use the time capsule and meet the heroes in the future^^ And the reason why Lightning gets lost in 4XXAF...I always got lost there too! TT_TT And I was too proud to use my game guide for help, but then I got sick of walking around like this and just took my game guide...And this is the first cliffhanger in this story. I really wanted to end this chappy like this, that's why it's so long^^ and I'm sure you don't mind at allxD I also made some fun of Light, with all the strawberries and rosesxDD

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