Oh my! An update at last, at long last I have updated. Thank you to all my reviewers, to have made this possible. 8D You all get cookies and milk. Now sit back and read and enjoy, this chapter might be a bit sucky, so I'm so sorrrry. I promise the next one will be better.
Also, I do not own Final Fantasy, all rights go to Square Enix.
Sit back and enjoy!
"Vanille..."
The young red head perked her head up and smiled cheerfully. "Yeah?"
"Are you sure you're going to be alright?" Vanille nodded her head slowly and smiled. "Yeah, I'm fine..besides. Uncle passing away; it didn't have so much of an impact on me. We were much closer to Light and her family, we always have been..."
Fang sighed and smiled a bit. "You loved Uncle the most..."
"Yeah, but not after he killed Lady Aerith..." She cast her eyes down as she said that, but quickly brought them up and smiled at her cousin. "I sent Light a special package, that I know she's gonna need sooner or later!" She jumped up excitedly.
"Special...package?"
Vanille nodded with a grin. "Yep! "
"No...you didn't...Vanny...did you send her 'that' ? " Vanille placed a finger to her lips and grinned. "Sssh, a secret!"
Fang looked uneasy about this, she crossed her arms and sighed. "Vanille..if that gets into the wrong hands..."
"Not to worry, I had it special delivered!"
"Fine...suit yourself, but now we have to call Light and tell her everything."
Vanille clasped her hands together. "Just as planned then! I was waiting for you to say that!"
Fang shook her head and smiled. "I knew you were up to something."
That earned her a grin from Vanille. "Actually, I was thinking we'd go visit her. " She gaver her older cousin another grin. Fang sighed, rubbing her forehead. "Now...Vanny.." And she Vanille had darted off to go pack her stuff before the tall woman could even say anything.
"Vincent, I'm back."
The phone at his ear, Vincent Valentine gave out a full smirk, when he heard those words through the phone.
"Glad to have you back, Majesty."
"Come'on Vince...don't call me that.."
Vincent continued to smirK, he leaned his head back against the wall until...
"YO! Vinny!" Yuffie ran at him with the speed of light.
"That loud voice is Yuffie isn't it?" Vincent sighed into the phone and nodded his head. "Yeah...it is..." He could almost face palm, if it hadn't been for the fact that he was occupied at this precise moment. Yuffie, on the other hand; stood before him with a wide grin on her face.
"Her Majesty has escaped Rufus Shinra!" He nodded towards her.
"Cloud, I'll phone you later."
He hung up, and turned his head towards Yuffie. "She got out? I thought Zack had specifically told her not to." Yuffie laughed and threw her fist up in the air. "Naah. You should know her by now, stubborn as a mule, never gonna back down from anything."
Vincent sighed, knowing how right the thief ninja was.
"She's in Astrum, as Reeve predicted..." She crossed her arms over her chest and tilted her head to the side a bit. "Say's that we should meet him in Astrum, at the royal palace. He suspects that they're going to hold her against her will, since Rufus sent the messege in already..." Vincent didn't respond to her, as usual; he was silent. He only nodded her head.
"Alright, let's go then."
Cloud Strife blinked several times. He had heard the words 'Her Majesty' meaning...it reffered to his daughter, his heir to the throne. He sat back against the walls of the church, pinching the bridge of his nose and leaning his head down.
So much had gone on in the past ten years, he needed to inform himself, and catch up.
Though he knew the basics.
His wife had passed on, his daughters were living a secluded life...
No..they weren't. Claire had continued her duties as a princess...or so he thought. He began to get worried for the well being of his daughter. He needed to find ways to protect her, without her knowing who he was.
After all, he was believed to be dead. He couldn't just reappear in her life again...
His life was pretty complicated, and he was stressing over so many matters. Cloud just didn't know what to do.
"Cloud...relax darling, all will turn out well..."
He heard her voice again, and he pressed his lips together, a small smile appeared on his face. She was right, or at least he hoped she was right.
"Uncle Cloud..." Cloud turned his head to the sound of the young boy's voice. "Hope." He nodded to the boy, acknowledging his presence.
"I got you the tickets to Astrum."
He had binded her with his powers, just so she would be unable to break away. She was glaring at him the entire way. "You're despicable.."
"Thank you." Noctis smirked at her insult. "I'm flattered."
This made the young queen to be, even angrier. She scowled at him. "Bastard. Let me go, I have no business here with you, or your family."
"Request denied. "He said in a teasing voice, which made her blood boil even more. "I swear if you don't let me go I'll..-" -"You'll what?" He smirked at her, mocking her with the look he gave her. Lightning felt herself blush. She scowled and turned her head away from him.
Noctis was enjoying teasing her. Watching Lightning get angry was nothing but pure enjoyment for him. Though he did have his shy side, for some reason he was feeling pretty confident right about now. His eyes were set back to it's original color. Amber; amber eyes were looking at her as she walked in front of him. Her light blond hair that was tied up into a pony tail, her porcelain colored skin. He found himself staring at her back. Lightning had a petite frame, enough to fit into his arms...
Like that one night, the night they danced together.
As they walked down the palace corridors, the servants inside bowed before their young prince as he walked by with his 'prisoner' , much to Lightning's dismay.
She got distasteful looks from the servants, she only scowled at them, held her head high proudly and walked along.
"Get to work, and mind your own damned business. " She would glare daggers at them, and the servants would rush away, and stand clear of her path.
Noctis of course watched everything from behind. He only continued to smirk in amusement as he watched the scene before him.
He noticed something about Lightning.
She was very dominant, demanding, proud, authoritative.
The way she spoke to the servants, was as if she had high authority over them. He chuckled softly. "Since when do you order my servants around." She didn't reply at first, but the she turned to face him.
"Once they stop being nosy and mind their own business." She scoffed in response to him. Though amusement flickered in his eyes. "I don't like it when others have authority over my servants you know." Lightning was beginning to get irritated at this fool of a prince. She narrowed her eyes and glared at him.
"Tough luck. Teach them manners and maybe I won't. " She retorted. Noctis laughed slightly. "I wonder why you speak with so much authority...you're beautiful..." He murmured softly. She heard him say this, and for some odd reason she turned a bit red and looked down to hide her embarrassment.
But...before she could say anything... Lightning was brought to the prison. "I have to go meet a friend of mine, but I'll be back."
She scowled at him. He made her completely useless, she was unable to do anything because thanks to his alien power, he had made her body immobile.
Just super great.
Prompto sighed, as he walked through the palace corridors. Finally he was back in Astrum. He yawned stretching an arm out.
"Yo, Prompto...as we confirmed, Rufus has branded her a criminal. Meaning Her Majesty must be in the prison."
"Rodger that." He quickly replied.
"Ah, Prompto! " He turned around to greet the all too familiar voice of his best friend. The Prince Noctis. The man grinned, "Well, Long time no see Noct." He waved, and placed his arm around the prince. "Anyways, gotta jet. The flight was really tiring so I'm gonna go take a quick nap. Later!" He slipped away from his best friend and left him to himself.
Noctis was dumbfounded by his behavior. "What was that all about..." Prompto was the loud and boisterous one. He didn't even stop to ask Noctis if he had gotten laid. No lewd comments, no teasing..-There was certainly something odd about his friend.
Prompto darted across the corridors, and made his way into the castle prison. There he greeted the guard, and the guard let him in. Of course, Prompto had high authority in the castle. He was the best friend of the prince, and his adviser. The prison was well lit, and compared to any other castles, it was clean, and slightly inviting.
Lightning sat on her bench, staring out at the guards who would pass by. Throwing glares their way. She scoffed, pulling her legs up and hugging her knees close to her chest. She had to do something about this. Something had to get done about her sticky situation. She needed out, and she needed it fast. Deciding to stand up, and walked up to the bars that separated her from the outside world. She felt like a caged bird, with it's wings clipped off. Unable to do anything.
Her inability to do anything at the moment frustrated her.
"Guard, I will take it from here. I have orders to interrogate the prisoner."
She could hear another voice coming towards her. The guard that was at her side, staring at her finally left, and there appeared a new man. Though he wasn't a guard.
What the hell did these people want from her?
"Great." She muttered under her breath.
"Majesty.." The man whispered and unlocked her cell. As soon as her cell opened, he bowed before her. Lightning shook her head. "Stand." She ordered, slightly rolling her eyes.
"Who are you, and why have you come for me?" He did as he was told, he smiled a bit at her. "Prompto Faremis, my lady."
Oh, she knew that name very well.
"Prompto...why are you here?"
"No time to explain My lady, you have to get out. "
"No, I can't, I must go to the king. " Prompto smiled, an idea springing to his head. "Good, then I shall take you. I am aware of what you must do. " Lightning smirked at him.
"Then let's go, prisoner."
Stella Nox Fleuret stood before her father, his coffin stood there in the darkness. She looked down upon him, with utter disgust upon her face. She folded her arms, and raised her head up high.
"Useless old man. But worry not, father. I will take the throne and do a better job than you." She smiled wickedly.
"My lady, the preparations are done." Stella did not face the person who had spoken to her. "Very well, Jihl. Make sure everything goes according to plan."
She finally turned around to face her most trusted follower. " I will not tolerate failure Jihl, do you understand that?" She narrowed her eyes. Jihl said nothing and nodded her head. "Of course my lady, I would not fail you."
"Jihl, last time you said t hat, my banquet was interrupted by a group of terrorists, which you have yet to find. If this occurs again, I assure you punishment will be bestowed upon you."
"Yes, my lady, I promise you that nothing will fail, and everything shall go according to plan."
"Very good answer my dear." Stella smiled in satisfaction.
"Lord Prompto, you have returned!" One of the palace guards saluted him excitedly. Prompto nodded his head and smiled. "Yes, I have...now...is his Majesty inside?"
"Yes my lord."
"Good."
He gestured for her to follow him into the courtroom.
"Ah, Prompto you have returned from your trip." Prompto knelt down. "Majesty, I have. "
The king chuckled. "Good to see you are well, and please refrain from the formality. You are like a son to me, no need for such formalities."
"Oh, yeah sorry..."
The King raised an eyebrow at Lightning, knowing well who she was. The woman whom Rufus wanted back. The criminal, per say.
"And you, Lightning Farron. The criminal that is being looked for, all over Midgar. " He eyed her closely.
Lightning bit her lip. "A criminal I am not!" She glared slightly at the King. Prompto looked at her and sighed, indeed she hadn't changed from when they were kids...
Same old stubborn Claire...
As for our favorite prince charming. He was about to enter the courtroom, but stopped dead in his tracks when he noticed both Prompto, his best friend; and Lightning, the girl he was most attracted too.
He decided to stay and watch from a far without being noticed, to see how this would unfold.
"Then, why would he call you a criminal, child?" She continued to glare. "Because, my darling Uncle thinks it's funny to keep me locked up. " She scoffed. Prompto shook his head again, hearing her speak her thoughts, no respect for the king...-Well...he wasn't one to talk.
Noctis continued to watch intently, and at the mention of the word 'uncle' this caught his interest. Rufus Shinra her uncle? Well it was a surprising revelation, something he had not expected.
"Uncle you say? The Lord Rufus is your Uncle?"
She was seriously getting annoyed at all these questions thrown at her. She took a deep breath, tried to calm herself down before speaking any further.
"I am his niece. " She replied to him, finally composed. The King rubbed his chin several times, lost in his thought trying to think.
"I am not sure of what to say, how do I prove you do not lie to me?"
Alright, she had enough. She had enough, she was through. Why did Astrum have idiots for kings? She crossed her arms over her chest, and took a deep breath.
"I am Claire Faremis Strife, Princess of Eden. I hail from Cocoon. " She finally said at last.
The king's eyes widened. He knew she was alive, but never once thought she would be here standing before him. The man was indeed shocked, yet happy, relieved at the same time. It had been long since he had seen her, and he thanked Etro that she stood before him.
As for Noctis, he could not believe his ears. She couldn't be the princess, the long lost princess; whom every body thought dead. It had to be a lie. Though, that would explain her hatred for him. Noctis stepped out of his hiding point.
"You need proof, how do I know you're not lying?"
No one had expected to have him there, listening to everything.
"Noctis, where are your manners." The King slightly glared at him, and Noctis lowered his head a bit in respect to his father. "Forgive me, but I must know. " The King shook his head in disapproval.
"Very well then."
She was in deep shit now. Noctis was here, the last person she wanted to tell. How would she prove her birthright now? She bit her lip.
"I don't have any..." She trailed off.
"Thought so." He smirked.
She glared at him, but what else could she do now? She needed to prove her birthright and she didn't have anything with her. She hated herself for being so foolish.
"My lady...I sense that you are in trouble."
A voice spoke into her head.
"Who are you...?"
The voice chuckled softly.
"My lady, have you forgotten my oath to you? I the spirit of war, Odin know you carry the blood of the ancients.."
That's right...her guardian spirit...Odin...
But how could she summon him?
"Help me, I beg of you...but how do you come to me?"
Odin chuckled softly.
"Call for me, call my name, and I will come to you."
They all looked towards her, Noctis smirked awaiting her answer. King Nero looked to her, raising an eyebrow. Though, the King had his suspicions, for he knew the Princess was still alive, he didn't doubt her, but he wanted to see, how would this strong young woman would handle the situation.
"I know, because my sister and I, are the last ancients on this planet. My mother was an ancient, and to prove my birth right I would need the gifts of the goddess, but I have not obtained all of them. But, to prove to you, that I am truly who I say I am..."
She took a deep breath.
"Odin come to me! High loyal spirit of war and wisdom!"
A light surrounded her, a light that blinded everyone in the room. The light was warm, yet you could feel something powerful come from it. Noctis covered his eyes, and when the light was gone, he looked up to where she stood. His mouth nearly dropped open.
There stood a large knight, clad in armor, riding on his horse. He stood by her side, protectively, and when he looked over to Lightning. A triumphant smirk was upon her face. The King and Prompto smiled in acknowledgment. Both satisfied with her answer.
Lightning was telling the truth, because the only known family to summon powerful creatures such as these...well none existed because the ancients were the only ones to be able to pull this off. The only last known ancients...was Queen Aerith and her two daughters.
The King stood up from his throne, and walked down to where she stood.
"You look like your father, Princess Claire I am glad you are well."
Noctis looked over to Prompto and glared at him slightly. "You knew?" Prompto nodded his head. "Yeah, she told me." Noctis rolled his eyes. "So, your little princess is back, how do you feel?"
"I'm engaged you idiot."
"Oh, now you're engaged."
"Shut up!"
"Noctis. " His father called out to him, using a certain tone of voice that made him cringe. Oh, it was the tone of voice that meant he got stuck baby sitting. "You shall see to it that Claire gets proper care, and you will have her dressed, I want her to join us for dinner. Have the servants prepare the guest room, and do show her around the palace, and the city." He was about to protest but his father stopped him.
"I will not accept no for an answer. Look after her well my son."
"Majesty, I need not any of those things, I only came here for a reques-" Before she could even finish the sentence the King spoke. "I will hear you after dinner, child."
His eye twitched when he looked back at the smug look she had on her face. Lightning walked up to him, smirking at him. "Why, yes your highness, do show me around. " Oh, it was payback alright.
Lightning was going to enjoy this.
Well, hopefully this was long enough, and oh boy some more Lightis interaction, just what you guys wanted! I love how Noctis just suddenly remembers his little hate for his little princess.
Now the question is, will they ever get along and fall in love?
Remember, this story is far from over, there is much too much going on!
Read and Review, it makes me happy and you get cookies~