Don't kill me please! Writers block is a horrible thing. I had this chapter half written out and I was stuck. ._. Well, Thank you for all of the support you have given me guys! Your reviews make me happy. Keep doing it!

For some reason, my love for Noctis and Lightning is growing at the speed of light. *Sigh* Well enough chit chat.

Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy XIII, or Final Fantasy Versus. It is copyrighted to Square-Enix.

Also a quick reminder.

Enjoy. Read and Review~

A bed had never before been so uncomfortable for Princess Stella. The mattress was too rough, she felt; The light of the moon peered into her bedroom, through the balcony. That was the only admirable thing of the room. Otherwise, it was plain, and irritating. Stella bit her lip as she stood up from her bed. Placing on pink slippers, and she wrapped her arms around stepped out onto the balcony. Contemplating the scenery. She narrowed her eyes, as she looked over the bright Capital of Cocoon. She loved it; She would one day become ruler of what these people would call a Kingdom. The thought made her laugh. The way they thought she was a nice, kind princess. Reality was; She was not. She was just as cruel as her father was. Stella smiled.

A loud knock was heard at her bedroom door. The princess turned her head. "Enter."

A young woman stepped in, pushing up her glasses. "My lady." She bowed.

"Jihl." Stella smiled.

"You called, My lady?" Jihl fixed her posture. She stood up straight and saluted the princess. "As you well know, tomorrow I will be appointed Prime Arch of Cocoon. I heard rumors that a resistance originated from here, Eden." She cocked an eyebrow at Jihl. "Yes, but they are nothing more than rumors. We haven't had any incidents with this resistance my lady. Rest assure that they are only rumors." Stella was not satisfied with her answer. She narrowed her eyes at Jihl.

"Jihl, its better being safe than sorry. I also don't want any interferences. Understood?" Jihl bowed again.

"Yes, your highness."

"Jihl, if you fail me, I will punish you." Stella warned again.

"Yes your Highness."

"You are excused."

"Yes, my lady." Jihl turned about and left Stella alone.

Stella narrowed her eyes as Jihl left. She turned to the balcony once more.

"Prime arch of Cocoon. The head of the Sanctum. The leader of Cocoon. " She whispered softly. The title felt nice. But truly, it wasn't what she had desired. Her desire was more of a lust. A thirst, a hunger for more power. Which her becoming Prime Arch meant absolutely nothing to her.

Noctis sat near the window at a cafe. He was gazing out, towards the never ending sky. Lost in his mind, that he was.

His thoughts only lingered to

Her.

The young woman whom he danced with. He was captivated by her. But he couldn't get her name. He wanted to know her name. That woman made him feel weird inside. A feeling he could never explain. A feeling he had never felt around Stella. He couldn't stop thinking about her. He remained oblivious to the conversation that floated around him.

"So you're telling me Prompto had to visit his 'family' here in Cocoon?" Prompto, was another friend of theirs. Gladiolus nodded his head. A playful smirk added upon the man's lips. Ignis glared at him. Already knowing the thoughts running about, in his head. "No ."

"Aww come on!"

"Shut up."

Gladiolus sighed in defeat. He looked over to Noctis. The prince was paying no attention to the two friends. Gladiolus furrowed his eyebrows. Wondering why Prince Charming hadn't even sent one of his sarcastic remarks at him. He waved a hand in his face. "Yo. Earth to Noctis!" Nothing. He grinned. He leaned in to Noctis' ears. "PRINCE CHARMING!" He yelled directly into his ears. Noctis quickly jumped up. Being brought back to reality the hard way. A punch was aimed for him, but Gladiolus dodged and laughed mockingly at the prince.

Ignis only sighed at his idiotic friend.

"What the hell was that for Gladiolus?"

"You were spacing out bud. Sides' what's on your mind? Ever since we left the ball, you've been really out of it. " Gladiolus paused.

"Whats eating you away bud?" Noctis remained silent.

"You can tell us anything, Noctis." Ignis added. Noctis knew his friends were right. He hesitated to tell them. He didn't want to tell them. They would of course, never let him live it down. Unless of course, he left some details out.

At first he had hesitated but, they were his friends, he couldn't hide things from them.

He smiled at his two friends. "I met this girl." Was his reply to them. Both men grinned at him. "She was beautiful. Unlike any other girl I've met before..." Gladiolus pondered for a minute. "Wait a minute, that girl with the strawberry colored hair, was it her that you met?" He chuckled softly. "Because the moment you disappeared, she did too." Noctis stayed silent.

"Yeah...it was her."

"Who was she? That girl and her friend, they seemed...different. I mean, different as in that radiance they gave off, seemed kind of like they were some kind of Nobility, or Royalty..." Ignis wondered out loud.

Noctis shrugged his shoulder. "I have no idea, I didn't even get her name. But...all I know is that I feel like I've met her somewhere before. I just can't lay a finger on it." Gladiolus smiled.

"Don't worry bud, you might see her again someday!"

"Yeah, how many girls do you know with that type of hair color?"

Noctis chuckled softly. "Yeah, none. " Ignis answered his own question. "So there's a high chance that you'll see her again." Noctis nodded smiling softly at his two friends.

"So about Prompto.." Gladiolus suddenly pondered, changing the subject.

Noctis looked over to him. "He said he had to visit his family. "

"He never mentioned them before." Ignis pointed out. Gladiolus sighed. "Well, he did now."

Noctis looked back out the window. "Strange, he hasn't contacted me about anything..." He took a glance back to his friends. "He didn't say where he was going either. It...something seems off."

Gladiolus grinned. "For all you know, he has a girlfriend he had to go see." Ignis nodded his head agreeing with the man. "He has a point. Well, lets just leave the poor guy alone."

"But still...its...strange." Noctis had mused. It was very strange that their best friend hadn't even contacted him yet. Prompto was not one to disconnect himself from the world. On the contrary, he was the loud one out of his small group of friends. Noctis looked back to his two friends, nodding his head. "Maybe you're right, it probably is a girl. "

Lightning stood before the door. The sign read "Seventh Heaven Bar" There were some dim lights on inside the bar, but a large sign hung over the door that read 'Closed'.

Knock three times.

That was the key. She did as she was told before. She knocked on the large wooden door before her. No sooner as she was done knocking, the door crept open.

"Come on in, Miss Lightning, we've been expecting you." She recognized that voice all too well. It was none other than Cid Raines. Lightning bit her lip, and she followed him inside.

The man before her led her down the stairs to a basement.

"Everyone, this is Lightning Farron. "

"Treat her well." Another voice pitched in. Lightning turned to look at where the voice was coming from.

Her eyes widened in shock when she saw who it was. "Hello, Miss Lightning, I am your other supervisor, Reeve Tsuesti." Though she felt nervous, her pride would not let her show any emotion. She nodded her head. Keeping an emotionless expression on her face.

"Man, that was such a long flight, I thought it would take forever." Footsteps could be heard descending the stairs. A man appeared before them. Black hair that was spiked up, and he had the most amazing blue eyes. Lightning felt butterflies in her stomach; As soon as she figured out, to whom that voice belonged to. He yawned again. He took a seat next to Lightning, not noticing she was next to him. "Raines, Reeve, I got in contact with Team Nora, they should be arriving tomorrow. What was the guys name..." He pondered. " Snow? Yeah Snow Villiers; Team Nora agreed to join up with us." He yawned again.

Lightning clenched her fists. Now they were involved too. That idiot was going to be around her sister again. She had said nothing, pertaining to that matter. She kept her mouth shut. It wasn't her business on whom they hired. All that mattered is that she had gotten the job done.

"Good, now that we're all here, let me continue." Reeve smiled.

"As you are aware of, Lightning has been assigned to be Stella's 'bodyguard' "

At the mention of the name 'Lightning' Zack turned his head to see her. The young princess sat there next to him. Alive. He was going to open his mouth to say something but he retained himself.

Zack knew all to well that the young princess was getting into a very sticky situation. Zack wouldn't allow it. He wouldn't place her life in danger.

"Isn't that dangerous for..uh Lightning?" Zack added. "She is a newcomer after all, she doesn't know how we operate. Besides I'm pretty sure she's never done this kind of job before." He pointed out.

Lightning shot him a glare. She crossed her legs. She hated when people thought she couldn't handle her self.

Reeve and Rain both chuckled in unison. "Mr Fair. She is a trained Soldier in the Guardian Corps. I'm pretty sure she can handle anything." Raines smiled proudly.

"Enough chit chat. I came here for my assignment. Not to waste time." Lightning narrowed her eyes at her two supposed supervisors.

Reeve let out a soft chuckle. "Very well then. Now that you're all here, I have some important matters to discuss with you all." He continued.

"It seems that the Tenebrae army is exiling ex-soldiers from Cocoons military. As you may know, most have them have been branded as L'cie. Tenebrae fears this power, thus they are exiling these people out to the outskirts of Pulse. " Reeve sighed deeply, shaking his head in disapproval for the country's actions. "L'cie mean no harm to Cocoon. But, they see the L'cie as a threat and want them out of the picture. Our innocent citizens are being driven out of their home for even being in contact with them."

Lightning sighed in irritation. "So What about the L'Cie? Can't they just hide their power?" Reeve just shook his head. "Afraid not. It is a requirement that all citizens of Cocoon under go a yearly physical. Though some avoid it by moving to Midgar. " Lightning narrowed her eyes at Zack.

"But isn't he an ex Soldier? A high ranked one a that" She turned to Zack accusingly. " Why hasn't he been arrested?" Zack grinned at her sheepishly. "Nah, I don't show my face around here to much. I have a Shoppe back at Bodhum and, most of the time some one else runs it for me, most of my time is spent back at Banora, down in Pulse." Zack paused for a moment. "Hey, wait, How do you know that?" Lightning glared at him. "That armor you wear, and your glowing eyes gave it away." He grinned widely at Lightning. "Haha...yeah I forgot about that." That grin made her scowl at him. "You shouldn't even be here in Cocoon." She turned her head away from him. She'd rather avoid getting even more irritated than she already was, at the moment. Zack grinned again. Not scared by her at all.

"Here are tomorrows Plans: Zack will take Tifa and Yuffie down over to the Palace. Your jobs are to release the soldiers inside the dungeon."

"After all the prisoners are out, leave some detonators inside the palace. As soon as you are out, it will be known that you are inside. Which is why you make those things go off. With that you will distract them, your escape will be much easier. "

He paused. Turning his gaze over to the young Soldier.

"Lightning, at the time being you will do nothing but gather information on the princess. You are new at this, so we can't have you encounter danger."

She glared at Reeve. "So I came here at this hour to waste my time for this? " She wasn't happy with her assignment. Not one bit. "We will have more jobs for you in the near future. " They reassured her. Lightning narrowed her eyes.

"Your ability to use magic without the use of any items, or " He paused while chuckling softly. "You are not a L'cie either, so best keep you out of the public eye."

Lightning gritted her teeth in annoyance. "How did you..."

"I run the WRO in Midgar. I know alot of things about you." He narrowed his eyes back at her. Lightning stood up.

"So what, now you're prying into my business? Keep out of it. It doesn't concern you." She snapped.

"Miss Lightning, every job requires a background check." Tifa added, trying to calm the young Soldier.

"Correction. A job. Which this is not, its a rebel group planning some type of Coup d' teat" She snapped back at Tifa.

"Man, you're such a spoiled brat and a stubborn mule." Zack had surely hit the mark. Lightning shot him a glare. She hate being called a 'spoiled brat'. She had lost her temper. "I'm not a spoiled brat. I am Claire Farron, your princess. How dare you not show me any respect." She quickly snapped at him.

Everyone went silent. Reeve smiled, as if expecting this about the young soldier. Zack grinned at her. "Still a spoiled brat." Zack of course was not scared of her. He had faced much worse dangers. Lightning's eyes went wide in shock. She wished she could take those words back. Though , of course, she regained her composure quickly and glared at him. "That's not my name." She corrected once again, in annoyance. "My name is Lightning. Get that memorized?"

"Whatever."

"Brat."

Lightning glared at him but that didn't seem to work.

"So wait, your the Princess?" Raines stared at Lightning, Confused and shocked at the same time he was.

"That is correct, Raines. She is our Princess, which is why I gave her that assignment. Originally, I hadn't planned that you would bring her highness to us, but now that she is here, our plans have change. We will fight to get her rightful place on the throne."

"That's what I've been saying all along, but no one ever listens. With Lighty back we can whop some bad guys and show that cutesy Princess and her old man whose boss!" Yuffie stood up with a grin.

'Lighty' Why oh why did this girl have the same traits as Vanille? The gods were surely frowning upon her now. She shot the girl a glare, even know she figured; That it was all for naught.

Tifa smiled. "You've grown into quite the beautiful young lady." Lightning turned her head away from Tifa, feeling a blush creeping up on her cheeks.

"Yeah stubborn like her old man. Though he wasn't a big grouch, if I remember correctly. Who did you get that attitude from?" Zack wondered out loud.

"Shut up. Go back to being the dead man you once were."

Zack grinned. "No can do squirt, the gods have granted me my life. They decided that if I go out, I go out like a true hero."

"More like a big Zero." Yuffie mocked. Lightning smirked at Yuffie's remark. Though Zack scowled, and then tried his best to ignore Yuffie's remarks.

"My lady..." Raines cleared his throat. Lightning turned towards him. "Just Lightning, I'm a soldier, and you're my boss. Lets leave it at that. "

"If you've been alive all this time then, why haven't you reclaimed your rights to the throne?"

Tifa and Zack were about to open their mouths but, Lightning had beat them to the answer.

"None of your concern Raines. I'm here to do my job so lets end this useless conversation and continue our plans for tomorrow." She snapped.

"Getting back on track." Reeve interrupted the two,

"We will continue with our plans to free our fellow comrades. Once you are done with that procedure, attack the palace, As I said before. We cannot fail." Reeve concluded.

"What about me?" Lightning said as she sat back down, crossing both her arms and legs.

"You will do as planned."

"Why?"

"Because we can't afford to get you hurt, Princess." Lightning glared at Reeve.

"Listen, I'm not a princess anymore, so what the hell is your problem with me?"

Zack stood up this time, he glared at Lightning.

"Claire." Lightning cringed when Zack used her real name. " Listen, your parents worked hard to provide you with a better future, which is the reason why we can't get you in harms way. You're 21 stop acting like a spoiled brat, and listen to us for once. We don't care if you're the princess or not. We have been entrusted with the orders of seeing to your safety. Regardless of what you say. We are aware that you are a capable Soldier, and that you can do better than this but we are holding that possibility of you dying, off."

Lightning glared back at him. He was scolding her. Zack had just lectured her like s he was some child! She looked away from him. It had been years since she had been scolded by some one. Let alone, she had never been reprimanded by Zack. She bit her tongue. No matter how much she wanted to reply back, she couldn't bring herself to doing so.

"Whatever." She mumbled bitterly.

Zack had smiled at her. She didn't turn to look at him. Her face was flushed pink, of embarrassment and anger.

"Listen Claire-" Raines had spoken up.

"Lightning." She corrected.

"Do me a favor and hurry it up, you're wasting my precious time." They all sighed, knowing they wouldn't win against the angry, stubborn Soldier. Raines continued. "Lightning, will you go through with tomorrow's plans? I assure you we will give you better jobs in the near future." Lightning closed her eyes, face turned away from him. She gave but a simple nod.

"Fine."

Raines and Reeve smiled.

"Well then, Our plans have been concluded. Reminder to you all. Meet at the underground passage at noon sharp."

"Zack" Reeve called out.

"Remember to get in contact with Team Nora. Inform them of the plans and our whereabouts. " Zack nodded, he saluted Reeve.

"As for Lightning, you will be clocking early. Meet me at the Palace gates, no later than 10 AM." Raines told her. Lightning nodded in hesitation.

"By the way..." Yuffie added. "What about Prince charming?"

"Oh Noctis?"

"Yeah." Yuffie answered back .

"He is to remained unharmed." Lightning looked up at Raines.

"And Why is that?"

"We don't harm old comrades." Zack smiled. Lightning narrowed her eyes. "As far as I'm concerned, he is siding with the enemy. He's engaged to Stella." Lightning had pointed out.

"They haven't been married yet, thus the alliance not forged." Raines replied back. Lightning was still unsatisfied with that answer.

"Lightning." Reeve warned. "Do not harm him." Lightning looked up with a frown on her face. "I get it, I wont try to kill him. But if tries anything, make sure of it, I will kill him." She warned. At the same time, showing her dislike of the Prince. Though deep inside, she knew he wasn't as bad as he used to be. He was actually nice. But Lightning brushed that feeling away and went back to hating him.

They all laughed softly. "We get it squirt. That's why your the bodyguard. He wont attack you. Rest assure you'll be safe." He grinned. Lightning glared at Zack once more. She was getting annoyed by his grins. He reminded her of a certain blond haired, unemployed, useless man.

"Alright, meeting is over. " Raines called out, waving at them, as he ascended the stairs. Reeve motioned for Yuffie to follow. "Come Yuffie, we have other matters to attend too." Yuffie popped up out of her seat, with a huge grin marked on her face. "Alrighty! See ya Light!" She waved and ascended the stairs, trailing behind Reeve.

Raines bowed. "I will make my leave as well." He turned around, following after Yuffie and Reeve.

As soon as they were gone, Zack got up, he immediately went over to Lightning. She was surprised by Zack's sudden movements. He just went and wrapped his arms around her, he pulled her into a tight hug. She softened. "Idiot." She muttered, hiding her face away. She felt herself blush.

"I'm glad you're okay." Zack said softly. Lightning felt like a little kid again. She relaxed. How long had It been since a pair of strong arms like these held her tightly? She couldn't remember. All she knew is that it reminded her of how her father used to hold her. She also felt safe. She quickly hid those thoughts away again. Reminding herself that such emotions were useless.

"Yeah well, good to see you too." She muttered while quickly pushing Zack off. Zack got the idea, he let of her. He smiled at Lightning. He ruffled her hair. "Well, tell Serah I said hi." He grinned. "Oh and squirt, don't over work yourself." He crossed his arms. "That trait seems to run in the Strife bloodline. " He laughed softly. "Your old man was as stubborn as a mule. Fraid' to say that you; not only look alike, but you inherited his personality."

Tifa laughed at both of them. "But one thing is for sure. You didn't get his shyness." Zack laughed along with Tifa. Lightning puffed her cheeks in anger. Zack took quick notice of this.

"Woah, haven't seen that pout in years." Lightning glared, she stood up from her chair. "I'm going home."

"We love you kid. Don't forget that." Zack smiled, as he walked right past her. "Later." He waved. With that Zack also left. "Lightning, be safe." Tifa added in a motherly tone. Lightning nodded her head.

"I can take care of myself." She replied coldly

.

"Prompto don't you want to be at his side?" The man pushed up his spectacles, shaking his head. "Sorry but, I have to aid in the resistance. Not only is Cocoon my home, but the Royal family, they're my family too. I need to avenge their deaths."

"I see. " He chuckled softly. "But isn't he your friend?" Prompto smiled. "Yes, a very close friend of mine. But I can't approve of his arrangement to Stella." Prompto narrowed his eyes. "I've heard that she's going to become Prime Arch. "

Reeve only nodded his head. "Yes. But tomorrow we attack the palace. I have informed the others that they are to release the prisoners." Reeve sighed. "But" He paused. " I am giving you; Prompto, the order to assassinate Princess Stella. Well, don't worry about failing. If you get her, good. If you don't that's fine too. As long as you create a distraction is fine by me. Though I'm sure you would love to kill her." Prompto smiled.

"Will do."

"If that fails, flee. We cannot afford your death. I'd rather have you alive, than dead." Prompto nodded his head.

"Yeah Yeah. "

"I will send out Vincent Valentine to aid you. Two heads, are better than one, after all." Prompto shifted his glance.

"Speaking of which, where-"

"He will be back shortly, I gave him another mission to attend too."

Prompto grinned.

"Get ready to hit the clubs Noct, you're gonna be a happy single man again."

Author's notes:

Oh, whats this? Prompto is related to the deceased Royal family? *Grin* My my, Prompto what are you hiding from Nocty Noctowl?

Hugs from Zack? Oh yeah~ Zack is a ladies man, but that doesn't mean he's hitting on Lightning. To put this into simple words, Lightning grew up around Zack. So he treats her as a niece. And, yeah, he did tease her a lot when she was little. Zack treats both Serah and Lightning like family.

Which is why he gets to scold Lightning. She can't do anything about it because she has the same respect for him, as she did for her father. Though Lightning will never admit it, she loves Zack. He's family to her, after all.

Oh Zack is so much love~ I don't see anything wrong with his persona. I love Zack even more now, after playing Birth By sleep that is. xD Notice how I also mentioned Banora :3

Wonder what he does there for a living?

Sell dumb apples! xD I bet he he steals them off the trees in Genesis' backyard xD

*shot* Joking aside...

Just a reminder, the characters may seem a bit OC. But like also remember that this is an AU fanfic.

So enough of my rambling xD