Guess who decided to update?
Ahaha, hello there everyone, sorry for the long unnounced hiatus! I was on a major writers block, but I guess that's now over! I made some changes to my story, and I finally changed the trio's names to the canon names they have, and here and there. So, to compensate for my long absence, here you go a long chapter! Thanks for still sticking with me!
Zack, Snow and Tifa walked along the busy streets of Tenebrae. It was far busier than any other day. Which was slightly intruiging to Zack. He found people carrying a lot of cargo towards the palace; which made him suspect that there was some type of event going on. He stopped, and tapped on some random person's shoulder.
"Umm, hey? Is there some kind of event going on today?"
The person whom he had asked, was a young man, who was seemingly in his 20's. The young man slowly nodded his head.
"What? Do you live under a rock or something? Today we're celebrating the coronation ceremony, of the Lady Stella."
"What about the King?"
"Gone, he was murdered."
The young man had walked away, and Zack stood there, dumbfounded by the revelation.
"Wait, so what." He turned to both Tifa and Snow.
"Gone? The King is gone, and there's a coronation ceremony. What in the-"
"Something fishy is going on." Zack said as looked up ahead towards the palace.
"And I don't like it."
Stella sat and waited for the Ceremony to start. Many people were gathered around the Palace. She was going to be crowned before all the people.
Stella waited with anticipation. She was as anxious as ever. Though, she remained patient.
She could hear the sounds of the people gathered around the palace. The woman was quite content with herself. As soon as she was crowned, her plans would go into full action. Not only that, as soon as she Married Noctis, she would be able to rule over both Kingdoms, and not to mention she had control over Cocoon. It was all coming together so nicely.
Now all she had to do is get rid of a pest her father was never able to be rid of.
Rufus Shinra.
The man irritated her to no end, and on top of that she knew that the previous Shinra head had nearly created an army of invincible Soldiers. She was glad his plans backfired, but now having Rufus around was even more complicated.
She needed to be rid of him.
Stella smiled to herself, as if she already had it planned out.
The Death of Rufus Shinra would be a grand thing.
"My Lady, it is time."
Stella smiled and walked onwards to her coronation.
Lightning didn't know what had come over her. But the fact that she lowered her guard, towards Noctis out of all people made her irritated at him, and herself. She even agreed to start off on friendly terms. Lightning trailed behind Noctis, as he led her towards the dining room. An awkward silence was around the two of them.
"Your Highness, his Majesty requests your presence." Something about that made Noctis feel that he wasn't going to like whatever his father was going to say to him. He stepped off to the side, and slightly bowed his head towards Lightning; smirking at her. "Pardon me, Your Majesty. But I must make my leave. Don't get too lonely without me okay?" Lightning glared at the idiot before her. "Say that again and I swear to Etro that I will skin you alive." She threatened.
This earned her a mocking laugh from Noctis.
Now she knew why she couldn't stand him. He was almost close to Snow in terms of being annoying. Lightning kept glaring at him as he walked away.
"Lightning, dear." Elaine called out from behind. "Majesty." Lightning inclined her head a bit, in form of respect. "No need to be so formal with me. Just Elaine is fine, dear." Even so, Lightning couldn't bring herself to call her that. It just felt too weird for her tastes.
"Of..course.." She sighed.
Noctis walked down the corridors, still wondering what his father needed to tell him. He had this deep feeling his gut that he wouldn't like it, and he wouldn't go through with it either. Well, whatever it was.
He sighed as he stood infront of his father's office. He knocked on the door, and slowly entered. "Father." Noctis breathed, closing the door behind him. "You called for me." The King nodded his head. "I believe I did." The King looked down to some paperwork he had on his desk. "These matters are very serious Noctis." He went on. "Your fiance, Stella will be coronated as Queen today."
His eyes widened at the revelation. He knew it, he knew he was right about not liking what his father would say to him. "Why? What about her father?"
His father shook his head. "He has parted from this world." Noctis still couldn't believe his eyes. "How? Just how in the world did he die?"
"He was murdered."
Before Noctis could speak, the King held his hand up. "I am telling you this because I need you to be wary of Stella. Do not trust her, be discrete about having Princess Claire here. We cannot let that secret known Noctis, do you hear me?"
"I understand, father."
"Good, you are dismissed-and Noctis, do not be late for dinner."
Ever since that incident in the garden with Noctis. Lightning could hear those small whispers of the planet. She heard them in her head, and she couldn't get them to shut up. Elaine kept talking to her about dinner plans, and quite frankly she didn't care what they were to have for dinner.
She wanted out, and she wanted to get this over with so she could continue along her journey. Was that so hard to ask for?
Though by the time dinner had come by, they were all seated, waiting for the King to arrive. Once he did, everyone stood up and bowed their heads, even Lightning did this. Despite the many years she had spent living life as a commoner, there were customs she did not forget.
As dinner was being served to them, Lightning felt another rush of whispers in her head. This time, a vision. A vision of the King of Tenebrae. She glared at him, but he only stared at her. He began to walk away from her, and once he did. A stream engulfed him and he disappeared.
She understood what this was. She finally understood what her mother was trying to tell her when she was a child.
By that time, everyone had been served dinner. They were all eating in Silence, except the King, whom asked Lightning a question but instead the reply she gave him; gave him quite a shock. "The King of Tenebrae has returned to the planet." Lightning snapped out of her trance, realizing what she had just said. "Forgive me." She muttered.
"Claire, you came here because you were seeking something. Were you not?" Lightning nodded her head. "Yes, your Majesty. I came seeking something that belongs to me. I assume that you know what I speak of."
"The gift of the goddess. But my answer is no. I will not give it to you." Lightning clenched her fist.
"Why not? Don't you realize that I need it?"
"You need it, we know dear. " Elaine added. "But we need you to be safe. You cannot risk your life. We know you need all three, but you need to be patient and wait it out."
"Sir, we recieved word that the Lady Stella is having her coronation cermony today."
"Did you strengthen our defense forces?" Cissnei nodded her head. "Sir! As you ordered, we had SOLDIER placed at the areas designated. "
Rufus nodded his head in approval. "Good, you are dismissed."
Rufus smiled. A victorious smiled appearing on his features. "Two can play at that game Stella. Your father couldn't do away with me, and you won't either. You're picking the wrong man to trifle with little princess."
"This is ridiculous." Lightning glared at them. "It is mine. It belongs to me. " She gritted her teeth. Feeling anger over take her. "Your mother left it in my possession. These three artifacts are what killed your parents in the first place. We cannot allow you to risk your life. Do you understand how many have tried hard to preserve that life for you?" Lightning gave the King a cold stare. " Then how do you suppose I reclaim my Kingdom? By just sitting around here and doing nothing?"
The King shook his head. "That's not it, child. Look around you, Stella will receive the crown today, the last item is in her posession. How do you suppose you take it from her? Seeing as you are supposedly dead, and seeing as she already suspects you of high treason against the crown itself?"
Lightning bit her lip, nearly drawing blood out of it. "Lady Elaine, please talk some sense into your husband." She said angrily. "Dear, he is right. Please just wait it out, we cannot have you go in head first with out a plan. I understand you're strong, but not strong enough to face Stella and her Kingdom. "
"Not you too." She nearly hissed, Noctis watched her; feeling sorry for the young woman. If he had it in his power, he would help her. But he couldn't either. "Yeah just wait it out, Claire."
"I didn't ask for your opinion!" She yelled back at him, losing her composure. "You want me to sit around here doing nothing, being protected all the damn time just as the time when I was a child! Last time I sat around and did nothing my entire family was nearly murdered! People were killed because of that, and you want me to sit around and have people die for me again?" She paused. "If I die, I'd rather die trying than do nothing!"
"Claire that is enough!" The King raised his voice against her. "As King, I forbid you from doing such a thing!" Lightning stood up and slammed her hands on the table. "My apologies, My King, but it seems as if the years have made you senile. Clearly I was wrong in seeking your help." She said still feeling angry. "I will excuse myself for the night."
Elaine watched as the young woman made her leave. She placed her hands on her husband's arm, in comfort to him. "We're so sorry Claire." She heard her husband whisper.
Noctis on the other hand did not trust Lightning. He finished the last bite of his dinner and excused himself as well. He wanted to go find her, and give her some sort of comfort, some type of support.
But he didn't even know how to do any of that. He had never given comfort to others, he didn't know what it was like to lose a Kingdom, to lose your title, your parents, everything you know and love. So he was at a loss for words.
He wanted to help her, he needed to help her.
"Hope, change of plans. We're meeting some old friends of mine."
"So we're not headed to Astrum?" Cloud shook his head. "No, an emergency was brought up."
Hope stayed silent for a while. "Is everything alright? You look really worried about something, I hope its nothing bad." Cloud shook his head again. "I'm fine, no need to worry. Hold on tight." He said placing on his glasses, as he drove off towards the WRO building.
He had a feeling that this emergancy had to do with his daughters. He knew they were alive, but there were strange things going on, that no one would ever care to explain to him. He knew Reeve was just the one to tell him.
"YO EARTH TO CLOUD. CLOUDDDDDYYY." He heard a large noise behind him. The blond haired man stopped, and looked up to the source of the loud noise, and looking up to where the voice had come from.
Well, there was a large ship above him for one.
The Highwind to be exact.
A smile played on his lips.
The ship lowered down close enough, and dropped down a ladder. "Quick spikey! Get on!" Cloud parked the bike, and grabbed onto the ladder with Hope trailing behind him. They pulled the two up to the Ship's deck. When Cloud looked around, there was a sense of nostalgic feeling. He missed being on this ship.
"Where's Cid?"
"He went AWOL along with-" Vincent clamped a metal clawed hand over Yuffie's mouth to keep it shut. "Come on in, we have some explaining to do."
Something told him, he wasn't going to like this.
Cloud and Hope followed the two up to the command room. "We're headed to Astrum." Vincent said.
"You're daughter was here." He began. Cloud felt a bit relieved to hear that she was here, and at least alright, but something bugged him. Nevertheless he let Vincent continue explaining.
"Zack made her promise to stay here. " He continued. "Even Rufus has the Turks keep an eye out for her. " He paused. "But..." Cloud wasn't really enjoying the fact that Rufus had to keep watch on her. "But...?" Cloud asked impatiently.
"She managed to escape them, and even managed to get Cid to take her to Astrum. She didn't listen to any of us, and I'm afraid she's over there. We heard news that she managed to meet up with the King, but according to our sources, she's not allowed to leave."
Cloud sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Didn't I leave an order out before I disappeared all those years ago? Specifically for this, I didn't want her to do all these dangerous things."
"Too late. Aerith decided against it, because she said she would be denying them their birth right, or something like that." Yuffie added. "She's a really friendly person to get along with, just so you know." Yuffie said in full sarcasm, which earned her getting kicked in the rear by Vincent.
"And...Serah?"
"She is well. She's with Rufus, don't worry she's safe." Well at least there was some assurance with his other daughter. But his biggest worry was Claire. The girl had always been stubborn, and no one would convince her out of making a decision, but this time it could be costly. He couldn't allow this. He couldn't lose another precious thing in this world.
Yuffie groaned rubbing her behind. "Owwie..." She muttered. "Hey Spikey? Don't worry so much about her. She's strong, really strong. A lot like you." It made him feel slightly better, though he couldn't even smile.
Lightning had no idea she was being followed.
Why did everyone have to treat her like a child? Why couldn't they just understand that she was strong and capable enough to be on her own?
All this was just so emotionally draining for her. Maybe it was better for her if she had just stayed the normal soldier she was, living her life freely in the capital of Cocoon. Living her life, with that regret.
Maybe she was giving up too easily.
But, even if she wanted to escape, there was no way to do so. The Caelum's power was far greater than her own. She had been aprehended by Noctis once. The Caelum family had the blessing of Etro. While hers, her mother the Power of Cosmos. Goddess of Light, yeah some goddess she was. Her whole life she was shrouded away by the darkness.
She was alone, she felt all alone.
Suddenly, she found herself back in the same gardens she had been with Noctis, earlier. It was strange how she always found her way back to a place that was filled with flowers of all kind.
"Oh divine Etro, must I become your mighty warrior, Oh Gracious Cosmos, must I become your holy sword? Must I destroy and cause death to those shrouded in darkness, and shine light upon those untainted by the shadows the cause chaos to this world?"
Lightning found herself standing before a statue, featuring both of the Goddesses. The two were together, side by side holding hands. She recited these words, a prayer that just came from inside herself. A prayer asking for strength and aid from the both of them.
"As you watch over us, from the depths of Valhalla, from your divine temple, I beg of your aid." She said, this time kneeling down, and lowering her head.
In all of his years living in this palace, not one person has ever knelt before Etro, or the other Goddess. Sure, he was brought up believing in Etro, but never did he really pray to her. Noctis watched her closely, and approached her. Thinking up words to say in his mind to give her comfort.
"Were you following me." She said, as she stood up, and turned to look at him. At first Noctis was at a loss for words. "I uhh-I just wanted to see if you were alright." She narrowed her eyes at him. "As you can see, I am perfectly well, and didn't your parents teach you it was rude to stick your nose in other people's business?" She snapped, feeling suddenly angry at him.
Lightning didn't even know why, but she was angry at Noctis. She was angry because he had it all, he didn't have to endure all the hardship she had endured in her life. He didn't have to live in hiding, he had it all. But what made her mostly angry was that he didn't try to take her side back at dinner. She was angry at herself because she actually hoped, and expected that of him.
Noctis glared back at her. "Well, did you know it was rude to raise your voice at the King, not to mention disrespect him? Didn't your own parents teach you -" A loud slap. He didn't continue because her hand came in contact with his face. Lightning glared at him, even angrier than before.
Noctis held his cheek, feeling it sting a little. "Don't you dare." She gritted her teeth. "Don't you dare bring up my parents in this. You know nothing about me!" He was still in shock, from the slap he had received. He said nothing in return this time. She was right, he had crossed the line. Instead Noctis sighed, and did the unthinkable.
He grabbed her wrist, and pulled her in towards him. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly. Lightning tried to wriggle free, but she couldn't. "Easy there princess." Noctis spoke to her in a soothing voice. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean too-"
She grew frustrated. She felt as if the whole was suddenly against her. No one allowed her to do anything, everyone was trying to stop her from doing what she believed was right. She had no support.
"Don't act as if you understand! You don't know anything! Let go of me Noctis!" She said trying to push him away. But he wouldn't comply, and at last after ten years, she finally released tears. She cried, Lightning Farron was crying because she was so sick and tired of everything, and she cried even more because of the fact that she was crying.
All Noctis did was hold her close, and gently rub her back. Lightning held onto him, burying her face into his chest, feeling a sense of warmth from him, that felt just right. But she couldn't admit that. Not now, not ever.
"I hate you Noctis Lucis Caelum." She muttered. She hated him for making her feel so vulnerable.
Noctis smiled.
"I know."
I also added some Lightis moments. Hope you enjoy that ;D Thanks to all of my reviewers! You guys get cookies! And thanks to you guys who keep sticking around for the ride!
Remember reviews make me happy and they motivate me!