PRISONERS OF WAR

"All of Cocoon was against us. With us dead, they were sure everything would go back – back to the way it was before."

Day Eleven

I looked up at the fireworks that illuminated the night sky, and was momentarily awed by the spectacle.

A writhing mass of colors and loud bangs and whistles dominated my senses, and all I could do was stare.

The Bodhum fireworks display was famous for a reason, and I was witnessing this reason tonight.

There was a large crowd gathered at the beach, all staring up at the shower of sparks above the water.

"Anything?" my earpiece buzzed.

"Nothing unusual," I replied, again raking my eyes over the crowd. My gaze lingered on a pink-haired beauty deep in conversation with a large man.

"And Jihl?" the man on the other end of my communicator asked.

"Still with the kid," I said. Jihl had escorted the young l'Cie to Bodhum with his father. I hadn't met the father yet, but I spotted Jihl lurking in a discreet corner of the beach.

"You gonna wish on those fireworks?" my earpiece asked jokingly.

I chuckled. "Sure, can't hurt."

I thought for a moment, then made my wish.

"What did you wish for?" my earpiece rang after a sufficient pause.

"The usual," I lied coolly. "A million gil and a flashy hovercycle."

"But you hate flying," the earpiece stated with mild humor.

"I'm not going to fly it," I explained indignantly. "It's for show."

"Of course it is," my unseen comrade said sarcastically.

My eyelids were heavy, but I pried them open slowly.

My entire body ached, and I realized I was lying in an uncomfortable position on the cold, hard ground. My vision was faint, and black around the edges. Shadows flitted past my eyes, and I groaned feebly as I struggled to stand.

Then the memories came rushing back, and I realized, with a shocking jolt, that I was alive.

Then one though hit me with startling clarity, and all my attention was diverted onto the one thing that mattered.

Lightning.

Was she okay?

One of the shadows above me stopped, and as the haze that filled my vision cleared, I suddenly recognized the woman standing over me.

Jihl Nabaat, PSICOM Lieutenant.

"Hello, James," she said, realizing that I was conscious. "Welcome back."
I could see stars above me, and briefly wondered how much time had passed. I made to stand up, but my brain was working too slow, and my movements were sluggish and disoriented. Jihl's boot came crashing down on my chest as soon as I moved.

"Sorry," Jihl said, smiling serenely, "but you're not going anywhere."
I narrowed my eyes at her, and tried to pry her boot off, but I had no strength; I felt completely drained.

Instead, realizing that escape was futile, I turned my head, trying to pinpoint where I was and exactly what was happening around me.

I was surrounded by a bustle of activity as soldiers cleared the area. They were creating a perimeter, isolating the wide alleyway where I lay.

"All this for me?" I asked Jihl conversationally, doing my best to relax. "I'm flattered."
Jihl glanced around.

"I'm going to be completely honest with you, James," she said quietly.

"Joy," I interjected sarcastically, and she responded by pressing her boot harder against my chest, making it hard to breathe.

"You're going to be executed, tomorrow, and the public will see that PSICOM is handling the Pulse threat," she said. "But first, we need to learn as much as we can about you l'Cie, just in case."

My stomach tightened, but I kept my expression impassive.

"I can't wait," I said grimly, and she flashed me a brilliant smile.

At that moment, a soldier appeared next to her.

"It's all clear, Lieutenant," the lone soldier said with a swift salute. "We're prepared to land."

Jihl nodded. "Good, take him up."

The soldier saluted again and muttered inaudibly into his earpiece.

A loud thrumming sounded, increasing in volume until it was a roaring in my ears.

I recognized the sound.

Engines.

A ship was approaching.

I looked around, trying to see the ship, then was surprised by its proximity.

The ship was hovering above the ground ten meters away from me, huge gusts of wind billowing around it as it settled.

The soldier turned and gestured for someone I couldn't see to join him.

A third man walked up to us, but he wasn't a soldier. The man wore a white lab coat, and clutched a long needle filled with fluorescent blue liquid.

"Ready?" the scientist asked, and after an answering nod from Jihl, he crouched down beside me.

I suddenly understood, and lashed out with my arm, punching the scientist square in the face. The man was knocked over, landing on his backside in an awkward sitting position, glowering at me and massaging his jaw.

But my retaliation was not without consequence. As soon as my fist connected, Jihl re-position her foot, and the soldier kicked me, hard, in the side of the head.

My body went limp, but I didn't lose consciousness from the heavy blow. A multitude of stars joined the ones already in the night sky, and I blinked rapidly, my head throbbing in a pain much more agonizing than any headache.

I tried to fight the haze, but my brain wouldn't respond, and I was only capable of slight, weak movements. A single twitch of my arm was all I could muster.

I felt a sharp pain in my right arm, in the crook of my elbow as the recovered scientist jabbed the needle in my skin, the light blue liquid entering my bloodstream.

I suddenly felt light-headed, and my vision blurred, rapidly turning into a black nothingness.

The first thing I noticed was the smell, the subtle, yet still detectable scent of smoke fumes, a smell that could only be associated with the engines of a ship.

Beneath that – and as I unconsciously turned my head it became more powerful – was the smell of leather.

Then I noticed the crisp, clean air on an enclosed room.

Second was sound, and with ever-increasing volume, I heard the tell-tale roar of the engines.

But it was the voices that caused my eyes open.

"James?"

The voice was deep, slightly course, and somehow familiar.

The face peering down at me was one I knew.

"Sazh?" I asked, my brow creasing.

The dark-skinned man grinned, his white teeth in stark contrast with the color of his skin.

"Hey, kid," he said.

My eyes roamed, taking in the small room.

I was lying on a blue leather cot which was bolted to the east wall. On the south side of the room was a large bulkhead door. Above me, Sazh was staring, concern etched on his face, and behind him, her orange pigtails bobbing with each slight movement of her delicate face, was Vanille.

"Vanille?"
She nodded jerkily, and her face broke out into a small smile.

"Hey, James," She said, her high-pitched voice contorting with her accent, which took on a new meaning.

I shook my head, trying to clear it and focus on what was happening.

"What's going on?" I said, my voice was croaky, and my throat was sore, like I hadn't spoken in days.

Sazh and Vanille exchanged a loaded glance.

"Well," Sazh began slowly, "we have a small problem."

Vanille's expression faded, and she bit her full bottom lip, a frown on her face.

"Where are we?" I asked, but even as I spoke the words, I began to recall. "Damn," I cursed, not waiting for him to answer.

Sazh nodded. "Yep, we're stuck here."

I groaned and let my head fall back to the cot, but in the same instant I bolted upright.

"And the others?" I asked, praying that they had some information.

Sazh raised his eyebrows.

"The others?" he asked.

I glanced from him to Vanille, waiting for someone to fill me in.

"Lightning, Snow? Are they okay?" I asked desperately, but it was clear that they knew no more than I did; less, even.
"We should be asking you that, kid," Sazh said, giving me a searching gaze. "What happened?"
I took a deep breath, and prepared to relay to them the recent events.

Their faces went from concerned curiosity, to shock, awe, and then shock again, as I told them the story, pausing when I got to Fang's appearance.

I looked at Vanille, scrutinizing her expression.

"I met a friend of yours, Vanille," I told her slowly.

Her brow furrowed in confusion, and I was quick to explain.

"Fang's okay," I said.

A tiny gasp escaped Vanille's lips, and her hands flew to her mouth.

I nodded, giving her a small smile.

"She's been looking for you."

It took Vanille a moment to recover, but when her hands finally slipped from her face, she uttered a single question.

"Is she okay?"

I hesitated. In truth, I had no idea whether my plan to stay behind had worked. They may have escaped to Hope's house, or PSICOM might have caught them; but seeing as they weren't here, I assumed they were still at large.

"I'm sure she's fine," I said vaguely. "She's with the others."

She didn't interrupt again as I finished my story, but her hands covered her mouth again as I recounted the battle on the rooftop (I left out the interaction between me and Light).

Where are they?" Sazh once I had finished.

I shook my head.

"I can't tell you here," I said, "PSICOM will be watching."

The two of them nodded in response, and my eyes flickered around the room, eyeing the ceiling for any security cameras, though none were visible.

Then I turned to them.

"What happened to you two?"

Sazh turned to look at Vanille, who dipped her head once.

Sazh turned back to me and began to tell his tale, and my eyes grew wide as he described a journey through the Vile Peaks to the Sunleth Waterscape – a bright, vibrant forest near the coast – across the ocean to Nautilus, the city of dreams itself.

He told me how Jihl Nabaat had caught up with them, following the unlikeliest of leads. Sazh's young son, Dajh, was a Sanctum l'Cie, and it was the boy's Focus to track anything from Pulse. It had been Dajh who had discovered the Pulse fal'Cie lying dormant in the Bodhum Vestige.

Sazh also revealed how it had been Vanille's fault that Dajh had turned into a l'Cie. With the boy wondering into Euride Gorge while Fang and Vanille had been raiding the energy plant trying to recover their lost forgotten Focus, the Sanctum fal'Cie Kurata – who oversaw the Plant's operations – had taken the only countermeasure it could, and transformed Dajh into a l'Cie.

Sazh explained how Dajh had turned to crystal moments after their reunion in Nautilus, and the capture after Sazh encountered his Eidolon.

My mouth hung open stupidly when Sazh reached the end of his story.

Then my mind made a startling connection.

"You!" I gasped. "You're the father."

Sazh frowned at my sudden outburst.

"What are you on about?" he asked warily.

I gaped for only a second.

"Dajh, your son, I saw him. I was there when they tested his abilities in Eden, at the PSICOM HQ."

Sazh's eyes went round as he processed this new information, then he relaxed, a sombre expression replacing his momentary shock.

"It doesn't matter now, does it?" Sazh said helplessly, his eyes downcast. "Dajh is a... a crystal now."

His voice broke at the end, ruining his attempt at control.

I placed a hand on his shoulder, instinctively trying to reassure him, his pain was too horrible to contemplate, but I knew something that could ease his suffering.

"He'll turn back," I said fiercely. "Vanille and Fang did, and so will Serah and Dajh."

He looked up at my face for a few seconds, then, slowly, he nodded.

I withdrew my hand and leaned back against the wall, motioning them to be silent. I needed to concentrate if we wanted to get out of here.

I let the soldier guide me; let my instincts completely rule me, and tried to analyze the situation. We needed to escape, and fast, before the execution.

I turned to the man and the woman who were waiting impatiently.

"We're probably on the Palamecia," I explained. "It's PSICOM's largest ship, the crown jewel of its Skyfleet," I told them quickly. "And we need to bust out of here."

"Impossible," Sazh said immediately, shaking his head. "I've tried everything I can think of. Magic doesn't work on the door or even the walls, and our weapons were taken when we were captured."

At the mention of weapons I felt a sudden pang for the absence of my own. Soldier's Edge was all I had left of my father, and it was a part of me, an extension of my own arm. Without it, I suddenly felt extremely vulnerable.

I took a deep breath.

"Once we're out of this cell, we need to get to the armory and grab some weapons, otherwise we won't get very far. Then-"

Sazh cut me off.

"Once we're out of-!" he scoffed. "And just how do you propose we do that?"

I glared at him.

"I'm thinking," I told him, but I couldn't think of anything that would get us out.

"Don't worry," Vanille said cheerfully. "You'll think of something."

I raised my eyebrows at her.

"Vanille, we're stuck here, behind enemy lines, with no way of escaping!" I pressed. "How can you be so..." I searched for the right word. "Optimistic?"

She shrugged. "I have faith in you," she said, grinning at me.

I sighed and shook my head, closing my eyes, but when no brainwave flashed inside my mind, I just sat in silence, remembering how Lightning had reacted to my kiss on the rooftop. The thought brought a serene smile to my face.

LIGHTNING

It was impossible for me not to think of James, no matter how hard I tried to focus on the present. All my companions saw was Lightning, and that was all I would show them; there was no need to worry them about things that I couldn't change. James was dead, and that was that.

It seemed that I wasn't doing a good enough job.

"Are you okay?" Snow asked, joining me as I gazed out of the glass of the Lindblum.

"I'm fine," I said coldly, not looking at him.

"I don't think you are, Light," Snow stubbornly continued. "I know how much you hate sharing, but if you need to talk-"

"I said I'm fine," I growled. "Just leave me alone."

"Lightning, you're our leader," Snow pressed. "How can you lead if you keep dwelling on the past?"

"I'm not-"
"Aren't you?" he cut me off, his eyebrows raised beneath his bandanna. "Fang told me the whole story. There was no way you could have saved him."

"I know," I said, but a lump was forming in my throat. "I know that. He's gone, and I can't do anything about that."

Snow nodded. "He saved you; he saved us," Snow said. "But you can't carry that guilt with you."

"I don't feel guilty," I replied stagnantly.

"Yes you do," he said. "It's just like with Serah-"
"It's nothing like Serah!" I suddenly found myself screaming. The mention of my sister was the trigger. Snow was wrong.

"He's not a crystal, Snow! We're not going to complete our Focus and save him! He's not coming back!"

"I know, Light, but-"
"No, you don't know!" I cried, slamming my palm against the glass.

Snow was silent for a moment.

"You're right," he conceded. "He's not coming back, but I know he wouldn't want you to mope around like this."

I sighed. He was right, of course. It was exactly what I had been telling myself, but it was much more difficult than I had expected.

"I know that," I repeated softly, finally turning to look at him. His blue eyes were concerned, a hint of his usual smile still on his lips.

"There'll be time to mourn him after we save Cocoon," Snow said, and I nodded, turning back to the glass, not really seeing the blue sky outside.

I could see his reflection smile at me, then he turned and walked away, leaving me to wrestle with my own emotions.

"Lightning! Come here!"

Hope's voice was a welcome distraction, and I turned, striding towards him. He was starring at a large screen.

The other l'Cie crowded around me, all hoping to get a better view of the screen. The bridge of the Lindblum – the Cavalry's airship – was filled with soldiers and workers, all shuffling past us in their haste to perform their assigned duties. Also congregated around the screen was Rygdea, the man who had come to our rescue in Palumpolum, and Brigadier General Cid Raines, the commander of the Cavalry.

My attention never drifted from the viewscreen, where a report of the captured l'Cie was showing across all of Cocoon.

"There she is," the newscaster said as the screen switched to a display of a massive white ship. "The Palamecia, pride of the Sanctum Skyfleet! This mighty flagship currently serves as a prison for the l'Cie apprehended in Nautilus."

My eyes narrowed at the new information, and I heard the sudden intake of breath that escaped my companions.

The l'Cie will face official sentencing upon the convoy's arrival in the capital," the newscaster continued.

"So what's with the freak show?" Snow asked beside me.

Cid Raines answered him.

"So the Primarch can stand victorious in judgment of the villainous l'Cie, with their execution as the climax," he said slowly, his shoulder-length black hair rustling as he turned back to the screen.

"The people will cheer their demise, and fal'Cie dominion will be undisputed."

"All part of the plan," I said, crossing my arms.

"Yes," Raines said. "But it also presents and opportunity."

"In a display of unwavering dedication to duty, the Primarch himself has boarded the Palamecia and focused his personal attention on resolving the Pulse crisis."

"They're baiting us. Trying to draw us out," Fang said, her hands on her hips and a scowl crossing her face.

"Bait, huh?" Snow repeated.

I took a few steps forward. "Yeah, that's right; 'here are your friends, come and get 'em'."

Snow grinned. "Well, if they're daring us to mount a rescue, I'll take that action," he pounded his fists together. "All in."

Rygdea chuckled.

"Alrighty, bets are on the table. We leave when you're ready. I'll be standing by."

I turned to the other l'Cie.

"Rescuing Sazh and Vanille is our top priority," I said. "We ready?"

Fang nodded.

"I'll be damned if I'm just gonna stand around while Vanille's in trouble," she said determinedly.

"But we need to play it safe; no charging in without a plan this time," Snow added with a grin. He chuckled. "Listen to me, talking strategy."

"Let's do this," Hope said fiercely, nodding at me.

I stared around at the l'Cie, taking in their determined and defiant expressions. This was it.

"Okay, let's go," I said, turning to Rygdea, who nodded in response.

"Follow me," he said, leading us down the walkway of the bridge.

"Where are we going?" I asked, following beside him.

Rygdea just smiled and lead us through a large blast door, and I narrowed my eyes at the ship that awaited us.

"This baby back here's a PSICOM vessel," Rygdea said smugly. "It'll deliver you to the Palamecia."

"Oh, we're cargo now?" Snow asked lightly.

Rygdea laughed. "A parting gift to our rotting government. Take those PSICOM guys apart."

I ignored the painful pang in my chest with each mention of PSICOM, and the reminder of the now deceased member of our team.

"And we're supposed to take on all of them?" I asked. "I think the whole division's on board."

Fang took a step forward so that she was standing beside me.

"I don't care how many lackey's they've got. Bring 'em on! Vanille's in there."

Hope was the one to reassure her quickly escalating stress levels.

"I'm sure she's fine," he said. "Vanille's tougher than I could ever be."

I turned to him.

"Hope, are you scared?" I asked, concerned.

"Yeah," he said, laughing. "I'm terrified. But I'll be okay."

He looked up at me.

"Because I have you," he continued. "And this guy," he indicated Snow, "and Fang. We're all in this mess. We've got to stick together."

I smiled; he had grown so much over the last few days.

"Right," Rygdea interrupted. "Enough with the bonding. It's go time."

I exhaled, completely focused on the mission. Rygdea boarded first, and I followed silently, settling into the passenger seat beside our Cavalry pilot.

JAMES

"Anything?"

I opened my eyes at Vanille's questioning gaze.

"Yeah?" I asked forlornly. After two hours of racking my brains for a way out and coming up empty, I had just pushed all negative thoughts from my mind. As such, coming back to the present brought with it all the looming danger that was planned for us doomed l'Cie.

Primarily, the impending execution.

I shook my head.

"Sorry, Vanille. We're pretty much screwed right now," I said softly.

She sighed, and I saw a flicker of worry cross her brow, but it was only there for a moment.

LIGHTNING

The Palamecia loomed closer, a giant white blemish in the sky. I leaned forward in my seat, peering out the windshield.

"Why aren't we landing?" I asked impatiently.

Next to me, Rygdea shrugged and spoke into our stolen ship's communicator.

"What's the holdup?" He asked.

A static voice answered.

"Stand by. Verifying identification code."

"You let me land this bird, or I'll crash her into your ass!" Rygdea burst out.

There was a moment of silence as two ships flanked us, scanners covering our vehicle.

"Code verified. You're free to dock," The voice said.

I breathed a sigh of relief. So far so good.

"About damn time," Rygdea said.

Rygdea piloted the vehicle between a mass of ships, steering us toward the rear end of the Palamecia. We followed a long landing trail towards the ramp as a voice cut across the communicator.

"All clear, welcome aboard."

JAMES

In one swift movement, I pounded my fist against the steel wall, hard. Pain flared through my wrist and hand, but I ignored and exclaimed angrily.

"What're we gonna do!" I almost screamed it to the ceiling.

"James, calm down," Sazh said consolingly. "Screaming ain't gonna help us get out of here."

"That's just it!" I growled hopelessly at him. "Nothing is going to help us."

LIGHTNING

The docking bay of the Palamecia was a writhing mass of catwalks and machinery connecting the landing ramp. At the far end was a circular elevator leading up into the ship.

"Code Red! Repeat, Code Red!" A voice sounded around us, echoing from the intercom. "Attention all crew, this is not a drill! Code Red!"

At that moment, the elevator descended rapidly, and three PSICOM soldiers exited, their guns up and aimed at us.

"Alright," Snow said, settling into a fighting stance. "Let's tear 'em up!"

I drew my gunblade, my muscles tensed for the battle to come.

"We're here for Vanille and Sazh. Stay focused!" I yelled to my companions.

I didn't wait for a response, instead dashing forward as the soldiers started firing. I dodged sideways, the world rotating as I somersaulted around the soldier on the left. My gunblade came up, stabbing into the soldier's chest. I was already moving as the blood sprayed from the mortal wound.

Beside me, Fang launched a powerful kick at the soldier in the center, and he went flying backwards, crashing into the wall and slumping down to the ground slowly.

Meanwhile, Snow had slid beneath the rapid fire of the remaining soldier, sweeping his leg out from under him at the end of his movement. The soldier flipped into the air, completely horizontal from the sweep. In one swift move, Snow came up and caught the soldier's leg while he was still in midair, spinning in a full revolution. After one full circle, Snow let go of the soldier's leg, and he was thrown several meters away. The soldier screamed as he flew over the edge of the ramp, disappearing into the open air.

It was over in seconds.

"Hm," Snow grunted, obviously pleased with himself.

"Come on, everyone," I said, heading to the elevator.

I lead the way, stepping onto the platform and slamming my fist against the 'up' button. The elevator jolted to life, and we were sent up.

JAMES

"Code Red! Repeat, Code Red!" A voice echoed around the tiny cell, screaming its emergency throughout the ship. "Attention all crew, this is not a drill! Code Red!"

A wave of mixed emotions coursed through me. The message on the intercom meant that something was happening. Relief, apprehension; could help be coming after all?

LIGHTNING

The elevator had stopped, far short of its destination.

"What now?" Hope asked.

I narrowed my eyes as I perused my overactive brain.

The elevator was the open type, with a narrow strip of railing circling the entire platform.

"We get off," I said, launching myself out of the elevator and onto the railing.

The others followed, and I ran down the railing. Outside the elevator was a catwalk that crisscrossed around the cavernous room, and I lead the way towards the wall, where an opening intersected the catwalk. The four of us were quick to cover its long expanse, and a tell-tale arch of clear blue sky greeted us. The long corridor ended outside the ship.

The exit was in fact a sheer drop onto several floating platforms that were a part of the ship's design. The fall was nothing for us l'Cie.

"Won't be going back that way," Snow said, looking up at the door.

"We'll find another route," I said, turning to look around.

"Way ahead of you, see that?" Fang pointed to a rounded, walled corridor leading back into the ship. A staircase of floating platforms preceded the entrance. "Don't go getting' blown away now," she said, her wild hair whipping in the wind.

"I'll do my best," I retorted sarcastically, but the wind was strong, and the cool air pricked at my exposed skin.

I led the way towards the corridor, stepping from platform to platform. I was worried about the others, but they managed perfectly, keeping up with my steady pace. Even Hope was able to keep up.

"Lightning, look out!"

Fang's voice was lost in the wind, but my head spun around just in time to see a yellow machine careen towards me, spinning like a horizontal tornado.

I dodged, my body arcing as the machine flew past me, only to correct its course a second later and head for me again. This time, I swung my gunblade as I moved my body out of harms way, the long blade slicing through metal and machinery as the bioweapon was cut in two.

"Let's keep going," I said, jumping to the next platform.

"Not even l'Cie will survive a fall from this height," Fang said, craning her neck to see the stretch of water rumbling miles below us.

"Kind of makes you dizzy, doesn't it?" Hope asked, following Fang's gaze.

Fang grinned.

I ignored their banter, focusing wholly on the objective. Once we reached that door we would be one step closer to rescuing Sazh and Vanille.

JAMES

With one hand cupping my face, I leaned down, my elbows on my knees. I hated waiting.

"Sazh," Vanille said somberly. The dark-skinned man didn't look up at first. He was standing with his arms crossed, restlessness emanating from his still figure. Then he moved, sitting down beside me.

"I'm pathetic," he said hopelessly.

"That's my line," Vanille said, her expression just as downcast. "I'm the one who lied to everyone."

"Forget it. You can't change what's done," Sazh said.

I looked from one to the other, undecided on whether to intervene. Sazh had told me how it was Vanille's fault that Dajh was now encased in stone. Such a moment should not be interrupted.

"But, if I'd just told the truth-!" Vanille started, standing. Sazh's still unnamed chocobo chick flew from one end of the cell to the other.

"Now, now, now," Sazh said, holding out his hand for the tiny yellow bird to land. "James is right. All the evidence points to Dajh waking up."

I nodded reassuringly.

"One day he will, Sazh," I said. "I'm sure of it."

"What was it like?" Sazh asked the orange-haired girl. "I mean, how did it happen? You were done with your Focus, right?"

I looked up, interested to hear what information Vanille was willing to share.

"I was chosen," she said. "I was made into a l'Cie to fight against Cocoon. It happened back on Gran Pulse, hundreds of years ago." She sat down slowly, her voice suddenly sounding much more mature than her youthful body showed.

"We finished our Focus, and we fell into a long crystal sleep."

Day 1

The darkness was receding, and eternity of constant blackness, consuming my entire being. But the void was lifting, and I finally felt something. The sense was like the breath of life as a shiver ran down my spine, from my head to the tips of my toes. A slight breeze caressed my skin, and I opened my eyes, a smile still carved into my face. It wasn't like being able to see after a lifetime of blindness; more like I was just following a motion embedded deep in my brain.

The crystal flowed away from my naked body, like shedding a layer of skin, except pleasant. I waited patiently until the crystal was gone, and I was floating in the air, a wave of light enveloping my figure, still holding the same position I had maintained for centuries. Like magic, cloths appeared, fitting my frame snugly. They could even be the same ones I was crystallized in on Gran Pulse.

I was slowly levitated to the cold stone floor. The intricate lines separating the carvings beneath me, and my eyes closed as the darkness again covered me.

This time, it was like seeing anew. I spent moments staring at my new surroundings until a body lying next to me filled my vision. Fang, unconscious on the ground. I crawled over to her, one arm snaking around her body. I shook her shoulder.

"Fang!" I cried desperately, and sweet relief filled me as she woke. Once I realized that she was strong enough to stand, I turned away from her, suddenly intent on finding out exactly where I was.

"We woke up, on Cocoon," Vanille continued. "To the start of a new Focus. Fang, she'd forgotten everything. And for me; just the thought of hurting people again... It was too much. So I lied. I played dumb, said I'd lost my memory. I wanted to escape my fate as l'Cie. And ever since then, I've been running away from it."

LIGHTNING

Our band of l'Cie followed the corridor, which opened into a wide hallway heading both left and right. I pressed my back to the wall, and Snow peered around the corner.

"Let us through!" he yelled. "Block our way, you die!"

Fang looked at him skeptically.

"You trying to get 'em angry?" she asked, her hands on her hips.

Snow shrugged.

"I thought maybe they'd run. There's been enough blood spilled."

I shook my head, sighing heavily. Was he incapable of thinking logically?

"You thought they'd run?" I asked him. "Let me refresh your memory. Those soldiers think they're protecting Cocoon from l'Cie. The fal'Cie have them all brainwashed."

Snow frowned, then his fist came crashing down onto the wall. A loud clang echoed in the corridor.

"Fal'Cie... I have had it! We cannot let this go on!"

The alarms seemed like a timed response.

"Attention all crew: Code Green! Repeat: Code Green! Security forces stand by! Hostile forces on board, Code Green!"

"That doesn't sound like a warm welcome." Fang said, a smile on her face at the rallying PSICOM soldiers.

"And you're surprised?" I asked her, my gunblade already in my hand.

She snorted.
"Not really. Seems to fit all the stories."

I grinned. "I guess it does."

The hallway was long, and twisted and turned everywhere. Groups of soldiers littered the area, guarding several lines of defense.

I ran forward, impaling the first soldier on my blade, avoiding the blood that streamed from the wound, and instead spinning towards the next soldier. His bullets were wide of their mark, and I closed in easily, streaking past him with my blade held away from me so that it sliced through the soldier's flesh as I dashed past.

We crossed several lines in similar fashion, hacking and slashing a bloody path through the metallic hallway. The corpses began to pile up behind us, but the way forward was a never-ending flood of PSICOM fodder. As we neared the end of the hallway, I skid to a stop.

In front of us was a single line of bioweapons, their mechanical bodies just yearning to tear us apart.

"That's just perfect," Fang said, slowing down so that she was standing next to me.

Snow stepped forward, cracking his knuckles.

"Leave it to me," he said menacingly, and he charged forward, his hands waving in front of him.

Trails of ice appeared on the floor beneath the bioweapons, and they began to slip and slide on the unstable surface. One fell, crashing to the floor, shaking the ground with the force of impact. Then Snow was upon them.

They had no hope, careening about the narrow space as they were. Snow's fist slammed into the nearest one, its head ripping from its body, only to topple over a second later, wires sparking on the ice.

Snow moved on, his next punch going straight through the metal frame of the bioweapon's torso, and when he pulled his arm back, his fingers were closed around a bunch of snapped wiring.

The bioweapon turned, still active, its limbs flailing as it hit its surrounding allies, until the line of bioweapons were scattered around the floor, electricity crackling in each one.

"Nice work," I said, and together we left the hallway through another overly large door.

I could feel it. We were getting close.

"Don't worry guys, we're coming for you."