A.N. Hier ist Chappy 8! I know it's way too early to update, but I'm gonna out of town for a week (visiting my family on the paternal side) and we (my parents and I) drive tomorrow morning and because I might not get the time (or W-LAN) to update, I decided to update know, or else you would wait another week for the final. Well, the survey is over now and the winner is— haha, you would like to know that huh?XD read it yourself to find out!^^

Time Traveler

Chapter 8: Bhunivelze

Lightning and Hope left the Historia Crux and found themselves in a dark place. But they couldn't look at their surroundings, because they fell several meters in depth. Lightning turned around so that she could fall head over heels and lay back the arms and legs. Then she opened her arms and legs to fall more slowly. Her eyes widened when she saw what was running up to them. „Odin!", called the pink-haired woman before the horse jumped up and caught her. Lightning sat down on his back and then caught Hope and Mog, who sat down behind her. „What's Odin doing here?", asked the silver-haired man, as he wrapped his arms around Lightning's hip and Mog clung to his shoulder. „Maybe he wants to help us?", suggested Lightning. „Perhaps the goddess sent him to us, kupo?"
„Could be.", said Hope, while looking at his surroundings. „Is that...Valhalla?"

„Yes, kupo." Odin jumped over the roofs of houses, directly to the center of the city. There was a huge sanctuary, perhaps the goddess resided there. Everything around them looked bleak. The sky was black and the earth didn't look better. However, there was enough light to see everything. „I can't believe that we really are in the invisible realm.", said Hope and strengthened his grip on Lightning. „Excited?", asked the pink-haired woman, but didn't look at him. „Yes. By the way...Where is Caius?"

„Who knows..." When they reached the sanctuary, they descended from Odin. The Eidolon disappeared and the three went on. It was as if something would pull them to a special place and then entered a large open room with an empty throne, which was standing on crystals. They went closer and stood in front of the throne. None of them said something and Lightning and Hope held out their hands towards the throne. Then they both saw a vision of what will happen to the world if they can't stop Caius.

The people in the world would suffer terribly, in the end everyone would die, one by one, until the last. They could even feel the suffering of the people and Lightning even escaped a tear. Then their clothes vanished and a silver shining armor appeared in their place. Lightning's armor was a little shorter and more revealing than Hopes and he thought it looked very similar to a Valkyries armor. And on her left side hung a lot of white feathers and covered her entire left leg.

Then the two of them knelt down on one knee. The Goddess Etro blessed them again and made them her champions. Through the blessing they got back all of their l'Cie abilities, in other words, their magic was stronger and they could summon their Eidolon again. As an extra they couldn't just summon their own, but also another Eidolon. The two rose and left the throne room again. Caius was near, but for now they should rest. „Hope?"

„Yes, Light?"

„In your dream world I've heard that you never had a girlfriend." Hope swallowed, but nodded. „That's right."

„And that you're in love."

„Yes."

„May I ask who it is and why you've never told her?" Hope was silent for a while. He didn't know what to say. Should he just tell her? Hope shook his head. No. He wasn't ready to tell her. „I don't want to talk about it now...", he said, trying to calm himself down. Lightning just nodded. „Okay." What Lightning also noticed was that all his memories kinda always had to do with her somehow. This was weird and she's going to find out sooner or later. But first they must defeat Caius and save the future. „Then let's get to the most important thing. How do we beat Caius?", asked Lightning, while Hope and Mog thought. „Good question, kupo..."

„How do you defeat an immortal?", murmured Hope, while thinking with the others. „His heart. That seems to be his only weak point."

„No.", said Lightning and shook her head. „That's what Caius wants. The heart is a manifestation of Etro. If it stops beating, the goddess will die with him and his plan's succeeded."

„Okay...bad idea...", said Hope thoughtfully. „Let's consider a strategy first.", said the pink-haired woman and looked at them as seriously as the sergeant she once was. „Hope, I want you to attack from a distance, I need your backing."

„But—!"

„You're solely responsible for the cure, if necessary. You know that your healing magic is stronger than mine. I also want you to cast defensive magic on me, to increase my attack, defense, and magic power."

„Will do..."

„Summon Alexander and give me backing. I'll take care of Caius, so I'm counting on you." When Lightning saw how disappointed he looked, she sighed. „What's the matter?", she asked, her voice was a touch softer. „I just want to fight by your side, Light, not somewhere in the background."

„Hope..." She sighed again and went on. „You have the most important task. In every struggle a good backing is essential for survival, you know that." Hope looked at her, pouted and crossed his arms over his chest stubbornly. „I know. But I also can give you backing right beside you! I know you're worried that something might happen to me, but I'm much stronger than back then!"

„I know that."

„Then don't let me fight in the background and let me protect you as well!" Lightning went on her tiptoes and looked more serious at him. „I think you don't seem to know what tactical thinking is. Also, I wasn't done." Hope wanted just one time to have his way, but he flinched, as he saw the glare Lightning gave him. She normally gives this glare Snow, when he screw things up or called her "sis". „When you're done with everything and doesn't forget what I just said , you can move forward and fight with me." Then Hope looked happily at her. He'd gotten what he wanted and he didn't even had to put on his puppy-dog-look. „But stick with the plan, got it?"
„Sure! You can count on me!"

„We'll rest up for now and think of a plan now.", said the pink-haired woman and walked away. Hope wanted to follow her, but he chose to leave her alone. Lightning found herself in the throne room again, once she walked through the sanctuary of Valhalla. She didn't know whether it's possible, but she had to speak to the goddess. She hoped that won't awake the wrath of the goddess. „Divine Etro.", began Lightning and went back down on one knee. „I know that it was you, who freed me and my friends from the crystal stasis. We are deeply grateful to you, but if you hadn't done it, the time line would still be okay. So...it's your fault that it all this happened."

Lightning paused and when everything was quiet she went on. „But now we're here. We're here to make things right again." She paused again and searched for the right words. „And I know that you love the humans very much, but your blessings are pure hell to us. Yeul has to see these visions and becomes increasingly weaker. And also me...And Caius always has to see a loved one die...and he can't do anything about it. It's no wonder that he wants to fight you. Now you must help us to defeat him. Can't you just take your heart back? Is there a way to defeat him and not to harm you in any way?"

Silence filled the room. Lightning remained and waited for some sign...Then light beamed down on her and white feathers flew down from heaven. The feathers landed in front of Lightning and formed a thick line. Then, a gunblade appeared. It, of course, looked different than her Blazefire Saber and it fitted exactly to her armor. Lightning picked up the gunblade and examined it. She looked at the throne, when she heard a voice in her mind. It was a female voice and sounded beautiful. „I see...", said Lightning, bowed one last time and walked away with her new weapon. Then the two warriors met on a balcony, which was directly in front of the throne room and looked at the city of Valhalla. „Are you ready?", asked Lightning and broke the silence. Hope and Mog nodded and also looked at Valhalla. „It'll start soon."

„Yes...but Light, how are we going to defeat Caius?"

„Don't worry about it, Hope. I have everything under control." Hope and Mog believed her. The silver-haired man trusts her in everything and would even give up his own life for her. „Uh...Light?"

„Yes?", asked Lightning, whose gaze was still fixed on the city. „Well...There's something I have to tell you before the fight starts..."

„And what?"

„Well...I...Where shall I start...?", mumbled Hope to himself and sighed. „How about the beginning?" Hope was silent for a moment, before he nodded and began to speak. „You know, when we've met for the first time...I thought you're just a callous, self-opinionated and mean soldier..."

„Thank you.", she said with a hint of sarcasm in her voice. „But...", he added and smiled a bit. „You're the exact opposite. I mean...Okay, who wouldn't be upset when you've just lost a family member...?" The two were silent for a while and remembered how they felt when they all landed on Lake Bresha. „You wanna know what I thought of you?", asked Lightning teasingly. „I know. A liability. A burden."

„Not forgetting a weak, timid, little child."

„Well thank you Lightning...", he said, pouting and playing hurt. Lightning leaned on the railing and kept looking at the city. „ However, my attitude had changed over the time, though. When it came to magic, you were the strongest of us all and you became braver. Anyway, you wanted to tell me something else, right?" Hope swallowed hard when she came back to the original topic. „Where was I?", he asked sheepishly. „You said that I'm not what you thought in the beginning."
„Oh...What I wanna tell you is...uh..."

„Spit out already.", said Lightning impatiently, while looking at him now. Hope sighed and tried to calm his heart down, that beat ten times faster now. „That you're..."
„That I'm what, Hope?" Lightning knew that she put too much pressure on him, but if she doesn't do it, he would never get to the point. „That you're...the most selfless, nicest and...most beautiful woman that I ever got to know.", he said, and turned bright red. Lightning opened her mouth to say something, but Hope interrupted her, before she could say anything.

„Let me finish, please." The Pink-haired woman closed her mouth again and nodded, while Hope went on. „And I know that I'm, theoretically, seven years younger than you...But now we're the same age...I mean...To come to the point...I love you, Lightning.", he said, while looking at her seriously. Lightning looked at him in shock, wide-eyed and open mouthed. Now it all made sense. Why he had no girlfriend, and why everything in his dream world had something to do with her...The pink-haired woman already had noticed that he had a crush on her back then, or rather the others have told her this and teased with it, but she thought it was just a typical teenage phase and that it would go away again. But she had been wrong. This guy loved her so much that he's waited ten years for her! Any normal guy would have given up long ago and would've grabbed someone else.

„Hope, I—", began Lightning, but Hope put two fingers on their lips so that she couldn't speak more. „Tell me, when this is over, okay? Please...", he said, and looked almost pleadingly at her. He wanted to keep the hope that she would accept him. If she would reject him here and now, he could possibly not concentrate himself on the battle, with all the pain...Lightning understood and nodded. She had to think about it anyway. Even though she felt strange when she came near him, but that couldn't possibly be love right? Although her heart beat ten times faster than normal...Maybe she should wait until she could talk to Serah? Just the thought of it let her hear her little sister squeal in her mind. „Oh my God, Claire! You're in love with Hope?", she would say and would squeal even louder.

„I'm so psyched for you! I'm glad that you finally have found your happiness!" Lightning would roll her eyes then and tell her that she hasn't answered him yet and that she's not sure about it. „What, you haven't told him yet? You have to catch up soon! Even if he's waited ten years for you, he won't be able to wait for you forever! And you can trust me when I tell you that this is definitely love! I've felt the same way before I was with Snow.", she would say, and grin at her.

Lightning would probably change the subject and ask why she had to choose Snow of all people. „Don't change the subject, Miss!", she would say and then look at her sternly. „This is about you and Hope and not about Snow and me! You can really trust me! Just tell him that you love him! You won't regret it!" And then the conversation would probably be over. Then she would think about it a few days and then answer him, just as Serah has told her, because she realized that she was really right. Like always...

Lightning's thoughts were interrupted when Mog flew between them and talked. „There's Caius, kupo!", she said and pointed to the beach, just outside the city. Caius was in the water, carrying something...or rather someone. „Is that Yeul?", asked Hope, as they all tried to see what's going on there. „I think so.", said Lightning and put a hand on the railing. The violet-haired put the farseer into the water and watched as she vanished. Then monster came out of the water that flew directly to the city. The Monsters of Valhalla made themselves ready for battle and attacked them. Caius turned around and saw directly at the two warriors. Then he took the hilt of his sword and slowly took it off his back. The eye on the handle opened and dark magic came out of it and Caius went in his fighting stance. Lightning then summoned her gunblade, the one the goddess gave her, by swinging her arm sideways. „The final blow is mine, got it?", said Lightning, her gaze was fixed on Caius. „Okay.", said Hope and grabbed Mog, which was transformed into the bow.

„Stick with the plan and follow me then.", she said before she let her crystal appear, threw it up and jumped over the railing. In mid-flight she destroyed the crystal. „Odin!", she called as she fell into the depths and a few moments later her faithful Eidolon appeared. Odin transformed into his Gestalt Mode and caught Lightning in the air. Lightning sat down on his back, as it jumped over the rooftops and landed on the ground.

Hope also let his crystal appear, but since Alexander isn't good for transportation, he thought of another Eidolon, which would be more useful. He jumped over the railing, threw up the crystal and destroyed it with an arrow. As ice came out of the crystal, Hope knew that it really worked. The ice orb cracked and a lighter version of the Shiva sisters, Stiria and Nix, appeared and fell with Hope into the depths. He held onto one sister, and moments later they transformed and became a motorcycle.
Hope was lucky that the bike was able to fly, so he flew comfortably over the city. He remembered exactly when he first sat on this bike...He fell down. But that was only because of Snow's driving skills. Hope remained in the background and cast various defensive spells on Lightning and himself, while Lightning was riding directly to Caius.

„Case of the wandering comet. I summon thee!", said Caius and raised the sword. From the tip of that sword appeared a purple beam of light to the sky and the familiar summon symbol appeared. And then a giant comet fell down slowly. At the same time, pieces of the earth flew up to the sky. Lightning stopped and looked up to Caius, who stood on a floating earth piece. „Go!", said Lightning and let Odin turn in the direction of an earth piece, that wasn't so high up and let him jump on it.
Odin jumped from one earth piece to another and also dodged the small meteorites that fell from the sky. But then Odin and Lightning were hit. Odin disappeared and Lightnings gunblade flew away and stuck on one of these earth pieces. „Lightning!", called Hope, as he saw what had happened. He was about to go to her, but then he saw that Lightning was perfectly fine. She held onto the bottom of an earth piece, then jumped to the gunblade. She took her gunblade and after she made a couple of somersaults, she pushed off and flew so high that she was above Caius.

Caius attacked her with his magic wave, but Lightning diverted the attack with her gunblade to the comet and destroyed it. Then she landed behind Caius and they stood back to back. „Hmph impressive.", said Caius and didn't turn around. „Save it.", replied Lightning and stood up slowly. Then, they quickly turned around and attacked each other.

In the meantime, Hope climbed off the bike and the Shiva sisters transformed back into their original form. „Go!", he ordered and the Shiva sisters stormed into battle. They flew directly to Caius and attacked him with their ice magic. The violet-haired man pushed Lightning away and turned to the Eidolon. He couldn't react in time and was frozen. Nix flew to him to attack him again, but he freed himself from the ice and grabbed her on her neck. „Embrace the terror.", he said, while looking at her darkly. Stiria flew to him and wanted to help Nix, but then he threw Nix to her and with a final blow, he defeated them.

Lightning fell into depths, but then she summoned Odin again, who caught her in his Gestalt Mode. They landed on the ground and Lightning let Odin keep running, as she saw that Caius followed her in his Bahamuth shape. Hope then summoned Alexander. He climbed on his hands and got ready. „Do it!", he ordered, and then the Eidolon threw him through the air, directly to Caius. Then Alexander transformed and attacked Caius from distance.

Hope landed precisely on his back and stabbed him with his sword. The Bahamuth roared in pain and rage and tried to get rid of Hope, but he pushed the sword deeper into its back and clung to it, not to fall down. Caius' attempts to get rid of him was in vain, while he was still attacked by Lightning and Alexander with thunder spells and rockets.

Caius ignored the pain and dodged the attacks. He flew right in front of Lightning and transformed and attacked her with Megaflare. Lightning let Odin jump on the crystals and rode back to the city. They rode up on a couple of steel beams and Lightning took Odin's twin blades. „Come here!", yelled the pink-haired woman provokingly at the Bahamuth, that flew right next to her. Hope was still on his back and Lightning looked down. „Hope! Jump off!", she exclaimed as she jumped from Odin herself, directly to Caius.

Hope trusted her and jumped off the Bahamuth. After he fell a few meters, he was caught by Alexander, who was back in its normal form. „Thank you.", he said, while looking up at Lightning, who attacked him with Zentatsuken. Lightning landed back on Odin's back and rode to the top. The Bahamuth flew away and was out of her sight. „What's he up to...?", she asked herself and let Odin jump up, as they reached the highest point. Her eyes widened when she saw that the Bahamuth was in front of her and attacked her with Megaflare. She had no chance to dodge and was hit.

„Take me up there!", ordered Hope and as before, Alexander threw him up. Hope landed on an upper platform and looked that Odin, who was in his normal form, held Lightning in his arms and came down to him. They also had a protective shield around them. The Eidolon put her gently on the ground before he disappeared. Then Caius, who was in his true form again, floated down and landed in front of them. They went into their fighting stances and waited a moment, until the other was doing something.

Caius concentrated dark magic on his left hand and touched the back of his sword and the attack came out of the eye. Lightning stood in front of Hope and blocked the attack with her shield, then she shot at him and then reflected his attack. Caius was hit and pushed by several steel beams, until he finally landed. Lightning looked over her shoulder at Hope and nodded. A sign that he should follow her.

Hope nodded back and together they jumped down the platforms and came closer to Caius. The many broken steel beam fell directly on Caius, who got up and looked them. „I must thank you. Finally, I've met some equal opponents.", he said and then looked at the broken parts. „Forces of chaos, bend to my will." His eyes glowed red and then they were all wrapped in a force field, so everything came to a standstill. And apparently there was no gravity there, because as they got closer they were to meet headfirst. „But in here I have an advantage over you. I can control the chaos that surrounds Valhalla.", said Caius, and went back into his fighting stance. „Giving up?"

„And what do you dream at night?", asked Hope and went with Lightning in their fighting stance. Then Caius jumped to them, ready to attack. Lightning got ready. „Come and die.", she said. „We shall see.", he replied and struck with his giant sword. Lightning blocked the attack and let him where he was. Hope, who ducked under him, attacked him with a Ruinga spell and pushed him away. Caius landed on his feet and the two followed them. All three were preparing a magic attack. Lightning glanced at Hope, to tell him that he should start.

Hope understood and attacked Caius again with Ruinga before it was Lightnings turn. „That's it. Say goodbye.", said Lightning and attacked him with a gravita spell. The many broken parts around them gathered around Caius and trapped him. Caius threw everything away from him and attacked them again. Lightning pushed Hope aside and jumped towards Caius. Then Hope remembered what he had to do and cast defensive spells on Lightning, to make her stronger. Caius and Lightning blocked their attacks with their swords and then Lightning attacked him with her special attack Army of One. She pushed away Caius' sword and attacked him with eleven quick and powerful blows.

Then she appeared behind him. „You're finished Caius!" she yelled and repeated the attack again. At the last stroke she pushed him away and Caius landed hard on one of the steel beam. Then the force field vanished and everything that remained in the air, fell down directly to Caius. Lightning and Hope jumped to another platform to avoid being hit. „Is he...?", asked Hope. „No, I don't think so. That would be too easy.", said Lightning and made herself ready again. Moments later, Caius returned into his Bahamuth shape shot into the air. „You see?" Lightning took her pink, rose-shaped crystal again and jumped off the steel beams. „Follow me!", she said as she destroyed the crystal mid-air.

Hope jumped down with her and they were caught in flight by a white Bahamuth, that Lightning just summoned. Both Bahamuths were in their Gestalt Mode and flew through the air. During that flight they attacked and dodged their attacks and it seemed to have no end. „Do you have a plan?", asked Hope. „Yes. Tell Alexander to attack him. We need to get him to the ground." Hope did what he was told, moments later, Alexander changed back and attacked Caius with rockets again. Lightning then turn Bahamuth around and attack him with Megaflare. Caius' Bahamuth was defeated then and made a crash landing.

Lightning and Hope off the Bahamuth, as it flew close enough to the ground and the fight continued on the beach again. But instead to face the human Caius, three Bahamuths appeared. A gold, a red and a purple one. The three Bahamuths flew up and attacked them with Terraflare, but Alexander protected them from the attack and didn't even get a scratch himself. Alexander turned back to its normal shape and threw the two up to a still hovering earth part, so that they could attack the Bahamuths.

The Bahamuths flew to them and attacked. The red and gold one attacked first and protected the purple one, who was behind them. „You'll take care of the golden one.", said Lightning and attacked the red Bahamuth. „Okay!", he said and attacked the golden one. To kill these two Bahamuths was the lightest part of this whole battle and now they stood in front of the purple one, aka Caius. They attacked him alternately head-on and with magic, and Alexander also attacked him and hit him many times.

Caius flew higher and gained a lot of energy to its mouth in order to prepare his attack Megaflare. „Light!" Hope pushed the pink-haired woman out of the way and it was hit by his attack instead, while Lightning escaped unscathed. „Hope!", called Lightning and looked at the silver-haired man, who lay motionless on the ground. Lightning healed him as best she could and stood in front of him to protect him. The Bahamuth came back down again and was within her reach again.

Hope woke up and saw that Lightning ran to the purple Bahamuth. She attacked him several times with her Gunblade and held him at bay. Meanwhile, Hope healed himself a few times and then stood up. The Bahamuth attacked Lightning with his claw. Lightning could block the attack though, but was pushed away. Hope caught her and held her tightly in his arms. „Are you okay, Light?", he asked anxiously and let her go again. „I should ask you the same.", she replied and stood beside him and didn't let Caius out of her sight.

„Everything's fine." Then the red and golden Bahamuth appeared again. But instead of attacking the two, all three flew to Alexander and attacked him with Terraflare. Since Alexander had no time to protect himself, he was defeated. „The purple Bahamuth is very weak. If we attack together, he is quickly defeated.", said Lightning, as the Bahamuths flew back to them. Hope nodded and immediately attacked with Lightning the red and gold Bahamuth. Just like in the beginning, the two were quickly defeated and Lightning and Hope were getting ready for the final blow.

The two ran towards him. The Bahamuth attacked them with his claw, but the two jumped on it, pushed themselves off and jumped directly to him. Before it gained the opportunity to ward them off, Lightning and Hope slashed at him and landed softly on the ground. The Bahamuth then vanished and Caius reappeared in his human form. He floated to the ground and he didn't seem to be out of breath.

Since the fight didn't help and because Hope had no idea what Lightning has planned, he thought that they perhaps could talk about it. „Caius. Ask what Yeul wants. I'm sure...Every Yeul wanted to see a happy future, where people can live in peace. And they all wanted to stay with you. She seems to like you very much, so they doesn't mind to be reborn again, because she knows exactly that she'll be with you in their next life."

Caius was silent for a moment, but then he looked at them darkly again and attacked them. They dodged his energy wave. „Haven't you been listening to me?" He got no answer and Caius attacked him again. „He won't listen to you! Draw his attention on you, it's time to end this!", said Lightning, while Hope nodded and attacked him with arrows.

Caius blocked the arrows and attacked with his giant sword. The silver-haired man blocked the attack. „Now!", said Lightning. Hope knew what she meant, and pushed him away. Just as Caius was off-guard Lightning and stabbed him into his heart. Dark energy came out of the heart and Caius just smiled. „Congratulations, you've killed the goddess."

„Wrong." The two looked questioningly at Lightning and Mog, who felt that the fight is over, turned back. „The goddess gave me this weapon. It'll absorb Etros power. Since Etros power transfers to the gunblade, she won't die. But you will.", she said. „Hmph, not bad.", he said, grinning slightly and as the gunblade lit up, Lightning pulled it out of his body. Caius fell to the ground and remained motionless.

After Caius vanished several time gates appeared. „You've solved the last paradox, kupo.", said Mog. Then the last gate appeared in front of them and showed Snow and Serah. „This leads us to Academia 500JS, kupo.", she informed. „Our friends are waiting there for us.", said Hope, while smiling at Lightning. She nodded, but turned around again, to the city of Valhalla. „Before we go there, I must speak with Etro. She surely wants her powers back.", said the warrior goddess, summoned Odin again and rode back alone to the sanctuary, while Mog and Hope waited.

Lightning entered the throne room, went down on one knee again and held the glowing gunblade up to the throne. „Etro. Your powers are in here, just like you said.", said Lightning and didn't move from the spot. She heard the beautiful and clear voice again and as the voice died down, she held the gunblade tightly in her hands. She nodded and bowed briefly. „Then I'll keep the Gunblade with your powers in honor.", she said. Etro told her that her powers were nowhere safer than with her and so she gave her not only a new weapon, but also the powers of a god.

Lightning went back to Odin and rod back to Hope and Mog, who waited impatiently. She descended from his back and looked at them. „She told me to keep it.", she said and went to the time gate. „She has much confidence in you, Light.", said Hope and followed her with Mog into the Historia Crux.

When the two left the Historia Crux again, they fell several meters in depth and their regular clothes reappeared. „Look! The heroes are back.", said Sazh over the speakers of the airship and flew right under them to catch them. „Nice catch!", said Hope, as he and Lightning landed on the airship. „Welcome back.", said Sazh, while Hope thanked him and looked at the crystallized Cocoon and saw, that it was still standing. „Cocoon will fall soon, right?", said Lightning, when she went to Hope and stopped beside him. „Yes."

„We saved Fang and Vanille, from the pillar, kid! Their crystals are intact.", informed Sazh, while Hope and Lightning were smiling. „Good. And who knows? Maybe they'll awake from their crystal stasis soon?", said the silver-haired man, as he imagined that the old l'Cie group could be together again. „Certainly.", said Lightning, whose gaze was fixed on the crystallized Cocoon.

Then they heard noises and saw that the pillar broke and parts of crystal fell off it. Then the whole pillar broke down and Cocoon fell. In the same time, the new Cocoon was activated and slowly ascended into the heaven. The pipes that held the new Cocoon kept falling off and moments later the new Cocoon was floating freely in the sky, while the old Cocoon hit the ground and shattered into many pieces. „Does the new Cocoon have a name?", asked Lightning, as they looked at the scenery closely. „Yes.", he answered and nodded, while he looked pridefully at the new Cocoon. He's glad that his plan went up so well. „This is our ark—our haven. It will be called "Bhunivelze" and it shall be the new home for the human race."

„How did you get the name?", asked Lightning curiously and put her hands on her hips. „My secret.", he answered with a grin, before he looked at her anxiously. „...Is everything okay with you?" Lightning knew that he meant the thing with the visions and nodded. „Yes. I'm fine.", she replied, while looking at him confidently. „By the way...", began Lightning, but then faltered for a moment.

„What is it?"

„Kupopo?" Hope and Mog looked at her intently and waited until she spoke again. „How come you're so red, kupo?", asked Mog teasingly and began to giggle. Lightning blushed even more, but this glare, she gave Mog was still frightening. Mog was silent and hid behind Hope. „Well, Hope. Now that everything's over, I can answer you.", said Lightning, this time with a stronger voice. Hope swallowed hard when he realized what she meant. But as he saw Lightning's smiling at him, he wasn't as worried as before.

Lightnings inner Serah was right...just like the real Serah would be, so she didn't think, but simply let her heart speak. „I love you too, Hope.", she said and kept smiling at him. Hope grinned back, but then frowned as he saw that something was wrong with her. Lightning got this stabbing headache again, with the only difference that it was much worse than usual.

Also the dizziness increased considerably. „No...No, no, no, not now!", said Hope, ran to her, held onto her shoulders and shook her slightly. „Light!" Then she saw another vision and Etros symbol appeared in her eyes. Mog also flew to them and looked at her anxiously. „Come on, Light! Snap out of it! No!" A few seconds later Etros symbol vanished. Lightning's eyes closed and she threatened to fall behind, but Hope quickly grabbed her arm and pulled her to him.

Hope held her tightly, but her legs gave away and he went on his knees as well so that she could lie. He held her up on her shoulders and shook her a few times and when she showed no reaction, he knew exactly what had happened. Because they changed the future, she saw a vision, and wasted all her power...It was bad enough seeing his mother die. Now the woman he loves dies too? Hope hugged her tighter to him and closed his eyes firmly. „LIGHTNING!"

After a while, he opened his eyes again and looked at her face. It looked like she was asleep, or unconscious and he wished that this was the case. But he haven't felt a pulse nor her heartbeat...She was dead...then another airship came to them and on it were Snow and Serah, to greet the two. They jumped onto Sazhs airship and went to Hope, Mog and Lightning.

But they stopped when they saw that Lightning was in Hope's arms. Hope had turned his back to them, but they could almost feel the sadness that surrounded him. „...Hope?", began Snow quietly, to get his attention. Hope glanced over his shoulder to them slowly and shook his head, then looked back at Lightning. The two understood what he meant and looked at him in shock. „Oh my God...", said Serah softly, her hands covered her mouth. „But why...? You were safe! Everything was fine!", said Snow, who couldn't believe that his sister-in-law was dead.

„The future changed. It changed. If you change the future, you change the past. The effects ripple outwards, up and down the time line. The seeress is forced to see it all.", said Hope sadly, while looking at Lightning. „You mean...she saw this vision?" The silver haired man nodded. „Yes. And it killed her." Just as Hope spoke Serah began to cry. Snow wanted to hug and comfort her, but she pushed him away and ran to Lightning.

She knelt down in front of her and shook her. „Come on, Lightning, don't do this to me! You can't die!" Lightning remained motionless. „Serah...", began Snow, but he said nothing more. What should he say? Everything will be okay? Then Serah broke down in tears and hugged her big sister. When Hope saw that a few drops fell on Lightnings cheek, he noticed that he was crying too. Even if he wanted to hold back the tears, they fell. Snow was standing behind them and fought to hold back the tears himself.


Meanwhile...

Lightning woke up and found herself in Valhalla. Why am I here...?, she wondered and stood up. Suddenly a figure appeared in front of her. It was a woman. She had long, golden hair and was wearing a white dress that reached to the floor. She also seemed to radiate and if Lightning hadn't seen Etros sign on her dress, she would never recognize this woman. „...Etro...?" The Goddess nodded and Lightning immediately bowed respectfully. „Arise, Lightning." Lightning did what she was told and looked at the goddess. Etro came closer to her and spoke again. „I'm sorry that my blessings are so terrible." Lightning was afraid that she'll address this and prepared herself to feel the wrath of the goddess, but to her surprise, she giggled. „Don't worry, I'm not angry. I just wanted to do something good to you." Lightning just nodded. „If you want I'll take you the ability to observe the time line."

„You would do that?" Etro nodded and smiled at her. „But I can not release Yeul from this. It's important to have a seeress on this world, but I could make sure that the visions won't weaken her."

„That would be great.", said Lightning and then felt that a certain magic left her. „But...I'm suddenly back in Valhalla...Does this mean I'm dead?", asked the pink-haired woman, while the goddess nodded. „I'm afraid so, dear. And although I shouldn't do this, I can send you back again." After she said this Lightning's eyes began to shine again. Etro gave her a second chance. She could live in the new future with her little sister, whose annoying going to be husband, a friend and his son and two friends who are still trapped in crystal and...Well, the man she loved.

„But allow me to bless you and your friends again. I'm sure you might need your magical skills and your Eidolon. I could allow you to maintain those skills, if you want. But of course you won't get the brands or a focus.", said the goddess, while Lightning thought for a moment. „Yes, this might be useful. But just bless me, first. I'm not sure if the others want it too."

„Of course. I will keep an eye on you. And I wanted you to see this last vision. What do you think of your future?"

„It's beautiful.", said the pink-haired woman and smiled at the goddess. Etro smiled back and opened a Temporal Rift. „Go to your home now. Your family and friends are waiting for you." Lightning nodded and went without another word into the Temporal Rift.


As Lightning regained consciousness again, she felt that someone hugged her and that some drops of water fell on her cheek. She opened her eyes and found himself in Hope's arms, who was totally devastated and wept. He had his eyes closed so he couldn't see that she was awake. On her left was Serah, who hugged her and also cried. „Why are you crying?", asked Lightning and pretended as if she didn't know that she died moments ago. Hope and Serah went instantly silent and looked into her eyes. „LIGHTNING!", exclaimed the two simultaneously and hugged her even tighter and cried more, this time from joy. „I thought you were..." Hopes voice cracked, but Lightning knew what he meant. „I told you...Nothing can kill me that easily. But if you continue to hug me this tight, I might go back to Valhalla."

„I knew that you're not dead, Lightning!", sobbed Serah and kept holding her. „I knew you would never leave me." Lightning patted her back lightly, to comfort her. „You're right, I would never do that.", she said, while smiling at her little sister. „Sis!", said Snow, and ran to them. He flinched, though, when Lightning gave him her dark glare. The blonde was astonished, as she suddenly began to smile. „This one time I let it pass."

Then Serah let go of her and helped her up. As soon as she stood upright she was embraced by Hope, Serah, Snow and Mog. „Tell me...What did you actually see?", asked Hope, as they let go of her again. „You will see.", she said and smiled at him. „I only say one thing: It'll be great."

„Um, Light? I, uh...wanted to ask you, if..." Lightning knew what he meant before he said it. Apparently they knew each other long enough to understand each other without words. She took a step closer to him, pulled him by the collar down to him and kissed him. Hope was shocked at first, but then he closed his eyes and kissed her back. As Serah suddenly squealed loudly, she pulled back and looked at Snows and Serahs shocked but happy faces. „I can't believe it! You are together?", asked Serah excitedly and hugged her sister and Hope again as she nodded. „I'm so glad for you two!"

„Congratulations.", said Snow and grinned at the two widely. „I knew that this would happen, kupo.", said Mog and giggled. „So.", began Hope and looked at Bhunivelze. „I guess it's time to go home, right?" The others nodded and followed his gaze. „Yes.", agreed Lightning and looked at Bhunivelze with a smile on her face. „Let's go home."

A.N. So, this was the first of the 3 endings I wrote. As you read the winner is the Happy Endingx3 thank goodness. To write this chappy I had to listen to „Heart of Chaos" over and over again! So that I can keep writing and being able to concentrate on these battle scenes. And I can tell you it was horrible! There are some times where writing fighting scenes are the worst thing ever! Especially when they have to be this long... I thought it's a good idea to not tell you what Lightning saw, so that you can imagine yourself what could happen in their future. Besides I used Cosmos' (Dissidia) looks for Etro, 'cause I think Cosmos looks really beautiful and I don't really know how Etro looks likexD (I know there's a pic from Amano, but it looks...ugly) The reason why Sazh and Dajh disappeared in 010AF and suddenly appear in 500AF is just like in the game. They flew into a Temporal Rift and found themselves in Serendipity. (I didn't really want Hope and Light to be in this world, 'cause I thought it's pointless to use Serendipity) Btw, If you want, I could write a Sequel. I don't think it's necessary, but if you really want a Sequel please tell me and I'm gonna make plans how to continue.^^

We'll see each other in the other two endings! And PLEASE REVIEW! (Next update in one week from now)