I'M SO SO SO SO SORRRY I DIDN'T UPDATE. I know my lovelies you've been wanting to read the next chapter and here it is! I just got one of those famed writers block. So, here it is, and I promise that you will get your next chapter soon!T

Thank you for the reviews, I'm actually surprised this story had gone far. Also, I won't change the trio's names until after I'm done with the story. It's going to get confusing, so sorry about that. Anyways, I don't own the Final Fantasy Series. It belongs to Square.

Midgar

The old run down church was peaceful, and calm. It didn't once feel lonely. Cloud looked around. The light shone down from the sky above. He breathed in the scent of flowers. Many flowers in one specific area. That was were the sun shone the most.

The church was beautiful in his eyes. Every time he inhaled the scent, he could always remember the scent of his flower girl. He stopped and knelt down to take a good look at the flowers.

"Beautiful, aren't they Claire?" He quickly snapped his head to the side, once he heard the all too familiar voice. That voice he loved the most.

She was there, tending to the flowers, and a young girl sat by her side. The small girl had a small pout on her lips. Her eyes, oh her eyes. It was as if he was staring into his own.

"Mama! don't change the subject!" She whined, and Cloud couldn't help but smile. This girl, he knew this girl. "Claire, darling your father knows best." Cloud stood up and walked over to them, but when he did, they disappeared before his eyes. The frown returned to his lips.

"Aerith..." He whispered softly, feeling the gentle breeze brush along his skin.

He felt himself get dizzy, the area around him began to spin, and he found himself unconscious.

Tenebrae Palace

"Our King has been murdered!"

Stella sat quietly in the council room, when the announcement was made. The meeting had ceased and she got up, her eyes devoid of any emotion. She was silent during the time of the announcement.

The members of the council looked up to her, each one of them , looked to each other. For they knew what was next.

"My father..." She said silently. She looked to everyone in the meeting room. "You are to find the one responsible." She finished. "Anyone who hides the culprit shall be punished along with them." Dysley looked to his fellow council members.

"Then, we must prepare the announcement. The crown princess shall be named queen, and we prepare for his royal majesty's funeral. " Murmurs were amongst them.

"To this we agree. Prepare the emergency announcement. Stella nox Fleuret, is the new ruler of Tenebrea!"

With those words, they dispersed, and Stella was left to her own. As t hey left a smile was pasted onto her face.

"All going according to plan." She laughed slightly, as she walked along behind them.

"Your majesty! We've found the murderer!" Stella turned and faced her guards. Both guards held onto a man tightly, he was handcuffed and a slight glare was upon his face. Stella frowned slightly.

She walked towards the man, and she touched his face gently with her hands.

"So you were the one to kill my father? How cunning of you, but not so much. You see, I will kill you with my own two hands, to show the kingdom what we do to traitors.." He glared at her.

"For shame, Captain Rdygea. For Shame, and here you were my father's most trusted man. What a pity, to know that you've always been after his head. How disgusting." She; yet again showed not one bit of emotion as she spoke.

"I have not raised my sword upon his majesty's head. I would never do such a thing. My lady, you must believe me..."

Stella turned around. "I will not hear a single word. Take him away." She waved a hand in gesture to dismiss the guards. They did as they were told and they took the Captain away.

Stella walked off with a smile on her face. "Good, everything going according to plan." She chuckled as she walked back into the council room.

Aboard the Shera

"YOU GODDAMN ASSHOLES. DIDN'T I TELL YA TO CLEAN THIS FLOORS?"

Cid Highwind's voice roared throughout the entire ship. His crew, as always; trembled in fear before him. Cid's temper was not one to be messed with. He went off easily, cursing them all out, giving them death threats. Nothing new, just a same every day routine.

"S-sir!"

Lightning almost smiled at hearing Cid go on, and on, with that mouth of his. The man had quite the large range of vocabulary. Though she was used to that. Though Cid tried his best not to use such large, inappropriate words around her, he often muttered them and she yet, still heard them.

"YOU GODDAMN IDIOT. WHAT IN THE DAMN HELL ARE YOU DOING? "

"S-sir, I was g-going to s-set c-course f-for.."

"YOU FUCKIN' IDIOT. WHAT ARE YOU? DEAF? I SAID WE WEREN'T TAKIN THAT COURSE. NOW GET YER ASS BACK TO WORK AND DON'T SLACK OFF."

"S-sir!"

So in the end, this was the every day life of Cid Highwind and his crew. Yell at them every day, and despite all of that, the crew never once left his side.

Lightning almost giggled at the scene. Cid had never changed, he was the same old grouch she had known since she was little. Cid turned to her, with an unamused look on his face.

"And what in the goddamn hell are you so smug about?" Lightning shook her head, though Cid wore that un amused look, she could still see a smirk on his face.

"So, this is the Shera? Where is the Highwind?"

Cid grinned widely. "Well I'll be, you still remember the old girl." Lightning nodded her head quietly.

"Well, she's restin' right at home." He took his cigarette out his mouth, exhaling some smoke. "I ain't good for stories kid. But I'll tell ya somethin'. " Lightning listened in attentively.

"And that is?"

"The Shera was built ta' battle. It was designed fer your old man, to command the troops at war. It is my greatest masterpiece."

She just had to ask. She couldn't just keep her mouth shut. Lightning felt slight guilt when she heard him speak about her father. Though of course, she wouldn't show emotion on her face. As always, she hid them away and showed that there was nothing wrong with her.

"Heh, now it's used for those ol' Shinra assholes." Lightning bit back a laughter. "Goddamn Turks always snoopin' around. Fuckin' assholes need to mind their own goddamn business."

He went back to amusing her.

"So, heard you escaped from Tweedledum and Tweedledee. I knew those idiots were good fer nothing, but I'm surprised that asshole of a Shinra hasn't gone after ya. " He grinned again.

"Ya know, Zack is gonna flip a shit when he finds out."

Lightning slightly cringed. She had completely forgotten about Zack. She just hoped he wouldn't find out soon. After all, the man was pretty darn scary when he was angry. "I'm willing to take the risk." She paused. "You're not going to ask why I escaped?"

"Heard the news already kid. Astrum, birthright and all that shit."

"Sir! Astrum straight ahead!" Cid growled slightly and turned his attention back to his crew.

"FUCKIN ASSHOLES. DON'T JUST TELL ME. JUST SPEED UP YOU LOUSY LAZY ASS BASTARDS."

And there he went back to hurling insults at his crew. "S-sir!" Was the terrified response he always got back.

"Astrum, 112 miles Full speed ahead!"

The Caelum Royal Palace

"If you see her, please arrest her."

The King of Astrum sat in his office, looking up at the video call. He sighed. "Lightning Farron? Her face looks quite familiar Rufus."

"Yes, so it seems. But she has broken laws, and I want her sent back to me." The king sighed again.

"Very well, I shall notify my guards as soon as possible."

"Thank you for your cooperation."

The call ended. The king of Astrum lay back in his chair, exhausted , tired. There was another weight upon his shoulders.

He glanced down at the picture that was given to him of the girl, the young woman whom had escaped Rufus Shinra.

She was beautiful, delicate. She had a familiar face, as if he had seen her before. The king examined the picture closely. "She resembles...Cloud.." He muttered to himself.

"Father."

He hadn't heard the door open, until his son had spoken up. King Adrian turned his head. "Son." He replied, as he went back to looking at the picture.

Noctis got close enough to see what his father was looking at. His eyes widened slightly.

"Lightning?..." Her named came out of his mouth in a small whisper. King Adrian turned his head again, he looked up at his son, raising an eyebrow in question.

"You know this young woman?"

Noctis nodded his head.

"She was Stella's bodyguard. "

"And a wanted criminal." His father added. Noctis was about to protest, but he decided against it. He knew that Lightning was none of those things. He certainly knew that she was no criminal. In fact, he had no idea why he thought of her that way. But the memory came back, from that day when the Royal Palace at Eden was attacked.

"Your majesty.."

Those words rung in his head over and over again.

"That is why-Noctis, are you listening?" Noctis quickly snapped out of his thoughts. He nodded and smiled to his father.

"Yes, you were saying?"

The king sighed and shook his head in disapproval. "Noctis, you are to capture this woman if you spot her anywhere in the Kingdom. Especially the palace. I have gotten word from Rufus Shinra, it seems that she is armed and dangerous."

Well, Rufus had a way with words. Noctis nodded. "Alright, I will do just that." He sighed, and took the picture from his hands. "I'm going to use this, if you don't mind father."

"Not at all, take it with you."

He smiled faintly, and took off with the picture in his hands. Leaving his father alone in his office room.

This was a good opportunity. With this, if he found her, he would capture her and ask her questions. He would get to know her more, and see that soft, gentle side of hers he had seen at the ball the other night. It was a perfect plan.

"Hey Noct!" The cheerful voice of Gladiolus rung in the air. He ran up to Noctis with a grin on his face. "Yo, just got word from Prompto. Said he'll be back in two days. He also said that -" He grinned some more when he saw the picture in his hands. "Oh, so. Tryin to find your dream princess Nocty?" Noctis gave him a glare. "Shut up Gladiolus." The man grinned back at Noctis.

"Anyways, as you were saying?"

"Oh yeah, Prompto said he'd be back in two days, if he was allowed to leave Cocoon. Said it's pretty hectic up there, with all the enforced security at every corner." Noctis sighed. "I see, well, at least he finally called. " Something strange was going on with his best friend. No, there were many strange things going on, and he was going to find out.

"Oh, by the way dude. I'm going out with Ignis, wanna come with?"

Noctis declined the offer. "No, duty calls." He turned around and waved a hand back at his best friend. Gladiolus sighed, but then gave him a grin. "Yeah you go find your princess" He called out.

"Shut up you idiot." He received a slap across the head by Ignis. Gladiolus jumped up and rubbed his head. "Owww, easy there..."

"Let's go." Ignis slightly glared, but instead of protesting he left with his other friend to have another one of their wild nights. Though it wouldn't be the same, since Noctis wasn't there, neither was Adrian.

The Shera had arrived pretty quickly as Cid had promised. From here on, Lightning was on her own. If she wanted to get back though, he would wait for her. It was a good thing too. She wouldn't have to waste any money on an air ticket.

The city was full of life, despite it's gloomy atmosphere. It reminded her of Midgar. Though despite it all, there were people shopping about, the streets were much cleaner than Midgar of course.

It was just as she had remembered it. Her last visit twelve years ago, when she was just a child. It was to discuss her futute with Noctis. Something she had refused shortly after, of course. She just couldn't stand Noctis. She walked along, until she spotted a guard.

All she needed was that one orb, and she would be home free. That would leave only one left for her to find. She glanced up, to see that the palace was clearly visible from where she stood.

It looked gloomy, just like the city itself. Lightning began to walk towards the direction of the palace.

She felt something familiar inside the city. That something, felt warm, and just right. Similar to the orb she had held in Midgar. She felt something call out to her. Her she stopped, and took a quick glance around, to see if there really was something around her. She sighed and continued to walk.

She didn't notice where she was going, and she managed to bump into one of the soldiers. Lightning stumbled, and fell to the ground, landing flat on her but. "Oww.." She muttered, while the soldier knelt down before her, in a worried state.

"Miss are you-" He instantly grabbed her and pulled her up. "You are too come with me. You are under arrest."

Lightning pulled away from him. "For what? This is my first time in the city! I have done nothing wrong!" She struggled to get away, and another soldier had appeared for back up.

Both of them restrained her. Lightning tugged and tugged to no avail. She was angry, and she knew who's fault this was.

"Rufus...Shinra...you bastard."

She muttered under her breath.

"Let me go! I have done nothing wrong!" She struggled once more. But the guards failed to listen, and the continued to drag her away.

"Let her go." The men turned around quickly with Lightning in their grasp. She looked up, knowing who it was. That voice she knew all too well. She glared daggers at him. The Prince Noctis Lucis Caelum.

"B-but your highness, your father-"

"An order from your future king, you deny?" His eyes flickered to the color of blood, crimson. Lightning looked up to his eyes, suddenly a memory returned to her.

Her foot had gotten stuck, and debris, and trash was to fall down upon her, but Noctis let out a loud scream, his eyes had flickered to a crimson color, and the debris, along with the trash was deflected back, and they were safe again.

The guards let go of her, and they bowed before him once they had seen Noctis' eyes change color. They knew that was the sign to stand clear of the heir to the Caelum dynasty.

"Forgive us my lord." They bowed before him, and Noctis had dismissed them. Lightning stood there, free of their grasp. She narrowed her eyes back at Noctis. "What the hell was that about? Why are they after me?"

Noctis walked towards her, and Lightning kept stepping backwards. "Lightning..." His eyes were still crimson, he disappeared with a flash, and within seconds he was in front of her, and he had a hold of her wrist. Lightning wanted to protest, but she felt fear. For the first time she had felt fear. She was entrance by his crimson eyes, and this scared her.

"Weren't you kidnapped back at the palace in Eden?" He asked. Lightning shook her head. "Why would I be kidnapped?" She scoffed. "And goddamn it. Answer my question first! Why am I being chased?"

She couldn't break free from him, it was impossible. "I wonder, what crime did you commit in Midgar?" Lightning narrowed her eyes. "Rufus Shinra..." She growled, "That bastard.." She muttered under her breath.

Noctis had caught wind of what she had said. "Ah, so you are a criminal." He smiled, amused by her. Lightning felt her blood boil even more. "I am not you idiot! For your information I'm-" She was going to spill the beans. She stopped and looked away from him. "I'm working for Rufus, he didn't want me doing a job and I went out and did it anyways." She lied.

"I don't believe it." He added with a smile on his face. Lightning glared at him even more. "If you weren't kidnapped, then what was that?"

"None of your damned business." She snapped. Noctis smiled. "Why did that man call you 'majesty'?" Lightning froze. She turned away. "I have no idea what you speak of. "

"Lies, I can hear very well, mind you."

"I don't remember that, and if I did, how the hell should I know?"

Noctis was having fun teasing her. He took a good hold of her. "Then, you will be taken to the palace. There you will meet with my father."

Lightning was about to protest, but in the end, she had to oblige. Otherwise, how else would she meet the king?

Noctis looked down at her features. The soft delicate features on her face. He felt himself captivated by her even more than ever.

Lightning turned her head swiftly towards him , catching him staring at her. Though she did the same, she stared into his red eyes. His beautiful crimson eyes, that were a wonder, yet she felt slight fear at the sight of them.

She snapped out of her trance and narrowed her eyes at him. "Well then?" She huffed lightly at him. Noctis felt a blush creep up on his face when he realized what he was doing. He looked away quickly and teleported with Lightning.

"Daddy you have to teach me!"

He had seen the images of two small girls flash before him.

But, they disappeared, he felt himself stretch out his hand towards them.

"Claire..Serah.." He whispered slightly in his dream.

But soon, it went all blank again.

"Cloud?"

"Hnn.." Cloud felt someone call out his name.

"Cloud...wake up sleepy head."

"Aerith.." He mumbled slightly.

"Come on Cloud, nap time is over. Get up you lazy bum."

His eyes fluttered open, and the first thing he saw was a young silver haired kid give him a small frown.

"Hope?" He called out. The kid sighed, but soon gave him a grin. "Yeah that's me." Cloud shifted himself up and held his head. "Ugh, I feel like I've been run over by a car." He looked around to his surroundings, noticing that he was still in the church.

"How did you end up sleeping here?" Cloud kept silent, but decided to speak up. "Well, I don't really know..."

"The flowers, they look nice..." Hope trailed off, directing his attention to the flowers. Cloud smiled slightly. "Aerith grew them..."

"Aerith?.."

Cloud nodded.

"She was my wife, and she had a talent for this. Even at the palace..she would show Claire and Serah around in the garden.." Hope tugged onto his arm with a huge smile on his face.

"Cloud, you finally remembered?"

Cloud looked back at hope furrowing his eyebrows, but then a small faint smile appeared on his face. "I guess...I did..." Hope grinned slightly.

"Then Your Majesty, it's an honor to have you back."

"Wait...you knew?"

Hope grinned slightly and nodded his head. "Duh, my mom knew all along. Ever since we found you back then, we had always known who you were."

Cloud patted him on the head.

"Thanks for keeping up with me..." He trailed off, looking back down at the flowers.

"It was you all along...you lead them to me...you knew..." His voice was low, almost a whisper.

"Thank you..."

He glanced back up at the sky, with a smile on his face.

The first genuine smile he had in ten years.

Prompto had received the call from Reeve, the urgent call to come to Midgar.

He stepped out of the elevator, the 3rd floor, Reeve's office.

"So you called?"

Reeve sat there with his arms crossed over his chest. "Cid has taken flight, and he's in Astrum. Leave now, and arrive at the palace. I urge you to go."

"Right, on it."

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING. AND I PROMISE I WON'T PUT THIS OFF ANYMORE.

Satisfied? I finally got a lot of Lightis in there, oh and Geee, I wonder what Stella is up too? Fufu.

So just press that little review button right there, and make me smile and inspire me readers! Remember, no flaming.