An update again! At last another update. Do enjoy this chapter ;D.
I changed the name Eclair to Claire. I like that name better. I was using Eclair because that's how it is in Japanese.
What do you guys think, Should I change the trio's names? I mean...they sound horrible..but its up to you guys.
"Your majesties." Sazh bowed his head. "I came here as a messenger from Rufus Shinra." The King stood up. "Please, speak."
"Your Majesties, King Nero, and Queen Elaine Caelum. " Sazh spoke again. "Claire Faremis Strife, and Serah Faremis Strife have been found alive, and are currently under the care of Rufus Shinra." He said again. The tall black man smiled at both rulers. "Rufus Shinra has requested your help, to restore the Kingdom of Cocoon." Elaine stood up with a huge smile on her face. "Darling, they're alive. This is great news." She put a hand on her husband's arm. The king shook his head. "Claire cannot claim the throne without her birthright. " Elaine cast her eyes down. " But, we have one of the gift's of the goddess, dear." The king shook his head. "That is the problem. We already have claimed our alligence to Tenebrae, by having Noctis marry Stella. " He sighed again. "We both promised alligence to each other, before our children were born. Yet, I broke that promise. " Sazh smiled at both rulers. "You didn't have a choice. So you don't have to feel bad. " Elaine touched her husband's arm, and smiled at Sazh.
"Yes, you're right. Though, I would have loved for Claire and Noctis to marry as soon as they had turned 18."
Noctis had walked along the palace corridors. He was finally back home in Astrum. He was about to go greet his father, when he heard his name and the name 'Claire' being mentioned at once. He stood by the doors listening in.
"Yes, though they both refused when they were young, they were secretly engaged anyways. No matter how many times little Claire said she hated him, I always saw that soft look in her eyes when she looked at Noctis. When he wasn't looking of course" Elaine giggled softly at the memory.
"Actually, I came here for another thing. Rufus has requested that if Claire is to appear here, that please, don't let her leave. If the King of Tenebrae finds out she's alive, then there will be chaos up and about." The king furrowed his eyebrows. "I see. Very well then. I will heed his request. After all, she is my most precious friend's daughter. I must protect her at all costs."
"Thank you, your majesty."
Noctis watched as Sazh left the court. He felt slightly angry that even though he refused to marry Claire, he was still secretly engaged to her.
"Noctis, enter. It's rude to eavesdrop. " Noctis froze when such words were spoken. He walked in to meet his parents.
"Mother, father." He bowed respectivly to his parents. "Rise, Noctis." Noctis did as he was told.
"I'm sure you've heard. Now, all I ask is that you don't say a word to Stella. If word gets out, Cocoon will suffer even more."
"I know, I won't say anything. What I'm angry about is that, how could you allow me to be secretly engaged?" He half yelled.
"Noctis, lower your voice. Also, the engagement was broken off because we thought her dead."
"So what is going to happen now?"
"Most likely, she will try everything in her power to destroy the ones who brought ruin to her kingdom. She will liberate Cocoon. That child will do it." Noctis' eyes flickered red. "Noctis, I don't know why you dislike Claire so much. After all, you two were the best of friends when you were children. You even kissed her when you were both 6." Elaine giggled. "You were so bold at that age." Noctis stared at his mother as if she were crazy. "Though I don't know why, but later on you two came to hate each other. " Noctis' face flushed red. "Mother!" He looked away, suddenly the memory came to his mind.
"Hehee! Nocty! Bet you can't catch me!" Claire ran around the garden having her fits of giggles, while Noctis tried chasing after her. Though suddenly an idea came to mind. His eyes flickered red and by the use of gravity, he made the young princess slow down. He caught up to her, and grabbed her wrist. "Gotcha!"
Claire turned around and grinned. "Okay, okay you got me!"
"I'mma king, so I have to punish you!" Noctis sang. Claire puffed her cheeks, refusing to admit defeat." Fine." She mumbled. While she wasn't paying attention Noctis had pushed his lips against hers. "There!" Noctis quickly pulled away. Claire's face flushed red. "When we grow up, we're gonna get married! Then you'll become my queen!" Noctis stood smugly before her. Claire's face looked like a tomato. "That's a promise Claire!" Claire pushed him down.
"Ow!" Noctis yelled out in pain. The little princess put her hands on her hips. "If you break that promise Nocty, then I'm gonna punch you!"
He didn't know why, but later on when they met after four years, their opinions of each other where different. Claire in fact hated him, and he couldn't stand being around her. But Noctis knew why. The promises they made as children were bound to be broken as they grew, after all, they matured and they knew their own responsibilties. It was a part of growing up.
Noctis blushed at the memory. "Don't let anyone else know that." He softly said as he dismissed himself.
"We were kids, that doesn't matter anymore cause' we're both grown adults."
Elaine giggled as she watched her son leave. "I wonder what she looks like now." Nero sighed. "I bet she's still as stubborn as ever." Elaine added with a smile. "Aerith and Cloud were our best friends. I grew up with Aerith. I feel as if it is within my duty to protect those girls as if they were my own." Elaine placed a hand on her husband's arm. "You're right. That's why we will do everything we can to help that child claim her throne, and restore Cocoon. If it's her, she will do it." Nero stood up from his throne. "Always the wise one my dearest." Elaine smiled at her husband.
"Of course, dear."
Everyone had gathered in the meeting room. "So, where's the guest of honor?" Reno yawned and stretched his arms up. He earned a glare from Tseng and Rufus. "Their Highnesses will be here soon, Reno. Be patient." Tseng added with a bit of warning to his voice.
"I can't believe Reeve and Vincent ditched us!" Yuffie crossed her arms. "Let it go Yuffie." Zack sighed softly. "Rufus, why did you gather everyone here?" Zack narrowed his eyes at the Lord sitting before him. "Just wait and see. As soon as Claire comes out we will begin our discussion." As if on cue Lightning entered the meeting room. Dressed completely in a red and black gown. Her hair fell down elegantly to the side.
Snow's eyes widened in disbelief. Lightning was dressed in an odd manner. "Hey sis, didn't know you'd be here too, and..why are you wearing a dress?" Lightning turned her attention over to Snow. But she was interuppted.
Rufus smiled quite proudly. "You look very lovely this evening. My darling niece." Lightning narrowed her eyes, glaring at him. If looks could kill, Rufus would have died long ago. "Rufus!" She yelled. "What is the meaning of this?" She gestured to herself; her dress. It was another gown, this time instead of it being strapless, it had a v neck. Made of chiffon and silk ,A black bow tied to the front of the dress, and the dress flowed down freely. No design, just a plain, yet simple dress that made her look elegant.
Niece, that's who she was. Rufus was her uncle, which that would make Serah, his niece as well. Snow was about to say something else but, someone else had turned to Lightning. "Hey squirt, you don't look so bad." Zack grinned.
"Can it Zack." Lightning snapped back. Her eyes narrowing back at Rufus. "Why do I have to wear this?"
"Because, you looked terrible in the garments you'd worn before; Besides, these are your followers. Before them you must look and act like the Princess you were born to be. " She hated that he was right. Lightning turned to them, taking deep breaths. She felt like snapping at everyone. Zack placed a hand on her shoulder. "Claire." Snow turned his head at the sound of the very familiar voice.
Serah stood there before him, wearing almost the same garments as Lightning. Except Serah was wearing a pink gown. Zack grinned. "If it isn't the other squirt." Serah's eyes scanned the entire room. When she spotted Snow, she immediately bowed her head down and looked the other way. Serah walked up and stood beside Lightning. "Claire, calm down." She smiled gently putting a hand to her sister's arm. Lightning frowned slightly. "Fine." She sighed in defeat.
"Well then, now that we're all here. I'd like to formally introduce, their Royal highnesses, Princess Claire Faremis Strife, and Serah Faremis Strife." Snow stood there in shock. Both Lightning and Serah, princesses of Cocoon. Especially his girl.
Serah was his everything, and she had thrown a fit of anger at him and broken up with him. Now he understood why. Serah had been a princess all along. He wanted to run to her and hold her in his arms. He looked over to Lightning. She had a very unhappy smile on her face.
Lightning closed her eyes, taking a deep breath before speaking. She opened her eyes, scanning her surroundings. Expectant eyes were upon her. She hesitated. "Claire, you can do it. " Came the warm voice. It was Zack, the person who had always looked out for her when her father couldn't. She looked over to Serah, and her younger sister had smiled brightly at her. She finally decided to speak.
"As, you're all aware, I've lived my life in hiding, along with my sister, Serah. We fled Cocoon because our lives were in danger. In that moment, I left behind everything I knew and loved. You all lost your beloved King and Queen, and I lost my beloved parents. I lost my throne, and because of this, Cocoon is under a reign of terror. Tenebrae holds it, slowly causing pain to all of its inhabitants. This is not what my parents ruled over. Their Majesties were loved by all of Cocoon, they were kind, and protected their home until their last breath. " She paused looking over to Serah, as if wanting her approval. Serah nodded her head, urging her to continnue.
"When you all met me, I stood before you as Lightning, the Sergeant of the Guardian Corps. A soldier in name. But, now I stand to you all as your Princess. " She looked down, feeling her face flush. She raised her head again. "No, I stand as your future Queen. I'm going to take back what's rightfully mine. I'm going to take my place as Queen and continue that peace that my parents had worked towards. Tenebrae will go down, and their rulers with it." She clenched her teeth slightly.
Small applauds were given to her. Lightning looked away, not wanting to show her embaressment. "You still haven't lost your touch, Claire." Rufus smiled proudly at the young princess. Lightning narrowed her eyes at him. "But, there is one thing you need to know. In order for you to claim your throne, you need to prove your birth right." Lightning gritted her teeth.
"The gifts of the goddess." She muttered. Yuffie jumped up with a huge grin on her face. "We've retrieved one from Eden's palace. We need two more, and the next one is in Astrum, King Nero and Queen Elaine have it under their keep."
"What do these 'gifts' do exactly?" Serah giggled over at Lightning. "Silly, if you actually paid attention to Mom's lessons, you'd know." Lightning glared at her. But Serah's remark earned her a laughter from Zack and Tifa. She turned to glare at the two. "Ahem." She coughed slightly. They both stopped, but still snickered.
"Light, these gifts are only given to ancients, by the goddess Cosmos. Remember, she was the one whom the ancients worshipped. She was a kind goddess, always full of love for her followers, then one day, she decided to give them three gifts, the gift of love, Hope, and Courage. But she gave it to them in the form of orbs. Similar to materia. But they're much more powerful than that. What their power really holds, no one truly knows, as it was all buried in the past, but I do know they're very powerful, and when an ancient holds one in their hands, the orbs will emit a rare color." Serah trailed off.
"All three together will react as one creating one powerful crystal. A crystal equal in power to Astrum's. But, fallen into the wrong hands, then destruction for the world." Serah sighed closing her eyes.
"Here Lighty." Yuffie handed Lightning the orb she had stolen from the palace. Lightning gazed at it. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever laid eyes upon. "I think..I've seen this before.." She said softly. Taking the orb into her hands. It was a soft thing, and if she wasn't careful, she felt that it would break. Just like her younger sibling had said, the orb emitted a small glow, it glew a bright blue color. At the moment, Lightning felt many whispers go into her head at once, But she recognized these whispers well. They were the planet's voice. But soon the whispers stopped, and she felt herself step into a dark world, full of nothing but emptiness.
"I have awaited my princess, for the day you were to awaken me." Lightning looked around in search of that voice.
"Who are you?" She demanded to know who he was. Lightning felt goosebumps on her skin.
"I am the guardian, who will aid you. I come from the heavens, a warrior of Light who has sworn loyalty to my master, Cosmos." Lightning searched once more. "Cosmos?" She muttered to herself.
Lightning narrowed her eyes. "Enough riddles, tell me. Who are you?" The voice chuckled.
"Very well, Princess. I shall tell you my name."
"My name is Odin, god of war, and your guardian spirit. From this day forward, I will come to your aid. Call upon me, and I shall obey. Hesitate not, my dear Princess, for I will forever be at your side."
"Hey, Light? You okay?"
"Earth to Lighty!" Lightning blinked twice and looked down at the orb before her. She shook her head. "No, I'm fine..." She looked down at the orb, it still glowed, and she still heard the whispers. But, the voice that was inside her head, was gone.
Lightning narrowed her eyes, she looked towards everyone in the room.
"We're going to take down Tenebrae." She stated once more. "Uncle." She said his name with hesitation. "Will you help me?" Rufus looked back at her, thinking; Carefully choosing his words before he opened his mouth.
"No." Came his reply. "Claire, A resistance would be meaningless." Lightning gritted her teeth. "I need to stop them. I have to stop them before anymore lives are lost, don't you understand that?" Rufus sighed at Lightning's outburst. While everyone else just stood there silently, watching Lightning fume even more. They all knew Rufus was right. They only chose not to say a single word.
"I understand where you are coming from, but how will you lead your people without proving your birth right first? You need to prove that you are the rightful heir to the throne before you go out into battle. "
Lightning wasn't satisfied with his answer. "Then we'll find the rest of these orbs." Rufus shook his head once more. "Claire, we can't have you leaving here. You are probably a wanted criminal in Tenebrae. They will stop at nothing to find you. Once you are out of my area of protection I can't do anything to help you."
Lightning slammed her fist on the table. "So what are you saying?" She began to raise her voice.
"Claire, you are forbidden from leaving Midgar. Just so you know, I will be notifying everyone that you are not allowed to leave." Lightning narrowed her eyes. "So I came here to be put under house arrest? Is that it? Because if I would have known ;I wouldn't have come here in the first place!"
Snow watched as Lightning began to lose her cool. He stepped up. "Hey..sis...you should calm down, maybe he's right you should stay here for a while. Think about Serah..she can't stay here alone, can she?" Serah looked up at Snow when she heard him mention her name. Her eyes looked sad as she looked at him. She placed her hand on Lightning's arm.
Lightning turned to Snow and glared. "You shut up and stay out of this."
"Hey, don't be rude. " Came the calm yet, serious tone from the man who stood next to Snow. Yes, Zack Fair; He was using that tone with her again. Lightning narrowed her eyes at him. "I know your strong, I also know that your not weak. But you have to remember what I told you before. Our priority is your safety. Stop being such a spoiled brat. You may have done everything on your own these past few years, and you may have done everything you wanted, but that's past you. You are Princess Claire. You are no longer the soldier you claimed yourself to be. You can't just do everything you want anymore. "
Lightning narrowed her eyes at him. Serah wanted to say something to help her sister out but, she knew better. Zack was technically scolding Lightning. She knew Lightning would rather bite her tongue then go against him. Serah watched as her sister stood there in silence.
"Claire, remember what I told you back then?" Lightning stiffened. She cast her eyes down. She was angry, embarressed that she was being lectured in front of everyone. When Zack had questioned her, she looked at him, trying to think back.
What did he tell me again? She tried to think back.
Wait...I remember...
"It's no use! I can't do it! I'm useless..."
"Come on now Claire, that's not true, have a little more faith in yourself." Claire looked up, a pout formed on her face. "What do you want.." She then looked away.
"I just heard some things being thrown around, I knew it had to be you." Claire didn't look at him.
"Your not useless. You can do anything you set your mind to you know. Besides, isn't it your dream to become Queen someday?" Claire still didn't mouth a word to him. "What do I usually tell my soldiers, Claire?" Claire looked to him. "Your always encouraging them. But I'm not a soldier, I'm not like them.."
"Come on now. What do I tell them?"
"You talk about Honor..and stuff.."
Zack smiled patting her head. "Honor and Stuff? Care to rephrase that for me squirt?" Claire slightly narrowed her eyes. "I don't remember."
"Embrace your dreams. " He began.
"Whatever you do protect your Soldier Honor." She finished for him. Zack smiled and patted her head again. "Let me rephrase that."
"Embrace your dreams." He turned around. "And whatever you do, protect your Honor as a Princess."
Yes, she clearly remembered that scene. She turned her head away from Zack. "Stubborn, ain't ya?" Zack sighed. "Embrace your dreams." He began. "Whatever you do, protect your Honor."
"You want to be a hero and save Cocoon?" He asked again. No reply came from her. "Protect your dreams and your Honor. "
"I'm sorry, but right now you can't do anything until further notice. So, I know you wont listen to Rufus. But you will listen to me. Claire your stayin here, whether you like it or not. That's final."
Snow just watched as Lightning was being lectured. He had never seen the young soldier woman so quiet. She was being scolded like a child. At first Snow had thought it was amusing, but as Zack continued to talk, it felt as if it was a parent scolding their child. He knew if he were to try such a thing on Lightning, he wouldn't be alive. He could guarantee that.
Tifa almost giggled at the surprised look Snow had on his face. "When Cloud wasn't around, he was always looking after Claire. He's not her father, but she respects him that much. To tell you the truth, Zack has never lectured her like this before, and I bet that deep down he wants to help her in any way possible, but he's acting like an over protective father. " Tifa whispered. Snow smiled. "The same for Serah?" He whispered back. Tifa nodded. "He has a soft spot for both of them."
Lightning was being treated like a child. She didn't know what to do. She felt powerless. Rufus cleared his throat. "I'm sorry, this is for your well being." He said. Lightning narrowed her eyes at him.
"I thought we were going to fight back."
"We are, but what would be the point if you were killed? Claire, I hope you listen to me." Zack said with a warning tone. Lightning stiffened.
"Fine. I'll stay."
Serah sighed at her sister. She was glad Zack had intervened. Otherwise her stubborn older sibling would have gone off anyways.
"Anyways." Serah began. "What will we be doing?""We have a double agent working for Noctis." Tseng uncrossed his arms. " Right now they're searching for her highness, and Tenebrae has raised their suspicious activity. We can't rush on this. The first and foremost thing is that we need to go to Astrum and retrieve the next orb. After that we'll go after the third one." Tseng crossed his arms. "Once that is done, you can begin to move, Princess."
So far that sounded great to everybody. Well, everybody but Lightning. In her mind she was already scheming something.
"Zack, Tifa and Snow, you three will be going to meet up with Raines again. He'll be waiting tomorrow in Astrum for you. Yuffie, I'm pretty sure you have business with Reeve.." Yuffie jumped up with a grin. "Oh, you bet I do." She said as she opened the door to make her leave. "Later taters!" She waved and closed the door behind her.
Zack, Tifa and Snow had decided to make there leave as well. But before Zack left he smiled to Lightning, who was still feeling angry. She ignored him. While everyone left, Lightning and Serah, plus the turks were left behind.
"Cissnei, Tseng, I need you two to investigate whatever is going down in Oerba. Be sure to report back to me." Both turks nodded and left as well. That just left, Reno by himself.
"Cool, day off for me."
"If you say so, Reno." Reno arched an eyebrow at his boss. "You will guard both princesses. Wherever they go, you follow. I think I'll call Rude. He had a day off today, but this matter is urgent." Reno sighed putting his hands in his pockets. "Damn, I got stuck babysitting."
"I heard that." Lightning snapped. Reno rolled his eyes. "Whatever." He mumbled. Just Great, Lightning was going to be stuck with Reno the idiot. Her life couldn't get any more miserable. But, then it struck her. She could easily ditch the idiot and find a way out. No one had made plans to go search for the next orb. Well, she was. She was going to do it. But all she had to do was ditch Reno. It was going to be easy. Flying to Astrum was going to be a piece of cake. All she had to do was hijack one of Shinra's aircrafts and she was ready.
Oh how simple it all was.
Lightning waited for the right moment. No, she wasn't going to listen to Zack, she wasn't going to listen to anybody. She couldn't let other people do her work for her. So instead, she decided to take matters into her own hands. She had lied to Reno and Rude when she said she needed to use the restroom. She knew the two were idiots, and they would never realize she would escape out through the air vent.
She could really remember it.
"Hey, tweedle dee, and tweedle dum." She stopped before the bathroom door. Reno and Rude stopped behind her.
"I'm going to use the bathroom right now. If you even think of tearing this door down I will kill you." Reno and Rude looked at each other.
"Fine, we give you-"
She slammed the door behind her.
At first, getting up there was difficult. But she managed to do it anyways. Lightning smirked to herself. She knew Reno and Rude would end up looking through the window. But she was smarter than that. She wasn't stupid.
Lightning stopped her run. She ended up at the ship hangar. She smirked to herself, and invited herself in.
"God damn it. You assholes! I told yer scrawny ass that I wanted the injectors! Not that god damn piece!"
"I'm sorry sir!"
"GIT THE HELL OUTA HERE AND GO GIT ME THOSE FUCKING INJECTORS YOU ASS."
"S-s-sir!"
Lightning almost giggled. She smirked at the conversation that was going on inside. One of the mechanics rushed passed her in a hurry. She stopped and smiled.
"Cid Highwind." She crossed her arms.
"What the hell do you want now Cissnei?" When he turned around, his mouth dropped open and his cigarette fell out of his mouth.
"Well I'll be." He grinned. "If it ain't the brat." Lightning sighed. "That's Your Majesty, to you." She said; a grin on her face. If anyone could help her, she knew it was Cid. Cid scoffed. "Not a queen yet, now what the hell do you want?"
"I need to go to Astrum."
Cid rubbed the whiskers on his chin.
"I knew you'd say that. I was told not to let you go." Lightning narrowed her eyes at his response. Cid grinned back at her. " Hop on kid."
A smile spread across her face.
"It's the Shera. Ain't she a beaut?"
Lightning nodded. "That she is."
Stella walked through the palace corridors, eyes narrowed. The young princess was feeling angry, and no one dared to approach her. She pushed the doors open.
"Father." She said dryly.
"Stella, what brings you here?"
"I demand to know, why has the Sanctum placed me under house arrest?"
"Stella, you left Cocoon, even though I gave you the position of Prime Arch, you go against my wishes and you begin preparing the soldiers for war. You begin to investigate useless things with Dysley. Stella, you are being foolish."
Stella glared at her father. "Very well, Father. I will do as you asked."
She excused herself. As soon as she walked out the door, she turned her head and smiled.
"Jihl, you may proceed, as planned."
"Yes, my lady."
Oh my, Yeah, Cid isn't very obedient is he? I love Cid so much. He has such a potty mouth XD Anyways, We will See Stella's plan on the next chapter. I love how Zack gets to be the parental figure. And only he gets to lecture Lighty. Rofl.
I got the name 'Faremis' From Professor Gaast. Those of you who have played FF7 should know he is Aerith's father. Well, if he hadn't died, Aerith would have been Aerith Faremis. Faremis was his last name. Plus it sounds cool ;D
Thank you Read and Review.
Keep encouraging me to write!