Wooo! Guess who's back after a long time? Sorry for not updating for such a long time! Sorry school took up much of my time, and then I had a major writers block and stuff. But thank you for all the sweet reviews, I'm glad you still enjoy and look for this story in your updates! I plan on updating on a more regular basis, at least I hope. School isn't so easy on me.
But here it is, at last the next chapter!
There was a feeling of comfort in the arms of Noctis, as Lightning buried her face into his chest, feeling as if she was going to literally cry a river. Her head had never hurt so much from crying, she could feel Noctis gently stroking her back, he might have pulled a few strands of hair away.
"Are you feeling better?" Lightning said nothing, as she was too embarrassed to say anything for letting her pride fall infront of the guy she 'claimed' to hate the most. But she did nod her head quietly.
"I haven't cried like that since I was...small." She finally admitted, pulling away from him and drying her tears, but even so, a few continued to fall. Noctis couldn't help but manage a smile, once his eyes were locked onto her beautiful blue eyes, that seemed to light up in the night sky; at least for him.
"What are you staring at?" She said getting all defensive on him, but Noctis didn't seem to mind this. He chuckled a little, and wiped away a tear from her face. Making Lightning slightly stagger back a bit.; losing her composure. She felt her cheeks getting hot, and she was glad it was dark out, as Noctis would be unable to see her reactions.
"Relax, its going to be okay." He said as he drew close to her. Lightning wanted to run off, but her feet seemed as if they were glued to the ground. "How can you say that so easily? You've seen what has happened. All of my gateways, all of my opportunities to act have been blocked off."
"Giving up so easily?"
Lightning sent a glare towards his way. "I can't, Noctis. You know that very well. I've tried everything in my power. I am not as free as you are."
"It's not a question of can, or can't." Noctis said to her. Lightning seemed shocked with his reply. "What?..."
"You used to say that a lot when we were kids, remember?"
Indeed, she had forgotten about that, but now that he mentioned it; She had gotten that phrase from her father when she was young. Lightning sighed, not knowing what to do anymore. She let out another exasperated sigh. This time she fell down to her knees, feeling another tear fall. She grunted in frustration, clenched her fist and landed a punch on the ground. She winced in pain, but the pain wasn't enough; it didn't amount to what she was feeling at the moment.
"I feel so useless. Etro, damn it all!"
"Lightning." She heard his gentle voice again, and she looked up at Noctis whom was kneeling beside her. "Come on, get up. You can do it." He said with another smile. Lightning glared at him again. She hated how carefree, and easy going his personality was. She was hating how he was able to make everything seem so easy. Noctis was making her vulnerable, and she didn't like it. Not one bit.
"Come on getup. You're better than that Lightning." He said again, standing up and offering his hand out to her. "Get up, because you're not a quitter. What kind of Queen just quits so easily after many trials? This is all part of being a monarch; being able to handle all these trials, even if they seem impossible, and unbearable."
His words sunk in deep into her. He was right, she was giving up to easily. Lightning stared at the hand he was offering. "Lightning, I believe in you. You can do it. If you need me, I'll be by your side. Because..." He paused. "I'm your friend..." He said again.
She seemed convinced enough. "What are you doing." Lightning said as she took his hand. "I'm supposed to hate you." She muttered. But Noctis seemed to have caught wind of what she had said. "Your welcome." He pulled her back up to her feet.
"Darling, what are you up too?" Elaine turned her head and looked at her husband. "Hmm, nothing dear. Just staring at my future daughter in-law." The King sighed. "How can you be so sure of such a thing?"
"Call it a woman's intuition, and a mother knows her child. Noctis is falling for her, and Lightning? It might be just a matter of time." Elaine was as giddy as a child as she watched both the Prince and future Queen to-be from afar; on her bedroom's balcony.
"It was the same intuition that got Cloud and Aerith together after all!" She said with a giggle. The King uttered a small laugh, as he pulled his wife close to him. "I suppose, I'll trust your words for now, dear." Elaine chuckled, and fell back upon her husband's embrace, watching those two closely.
"So Claire is in Astrum." Cloud leaned back against the wall with a loud sigh. Relief washed over him. That was one less worry. Well, a small part of it at least. Because he was still worried about her. If he knew Claire, she wouldn't sit still and do nothing. His daughter was always headstrong, stubborn, and never took no for an answer. This upbringing was mostly all of his fault. Most of it fell on his late wife Aerith as well. Aerith was just as stubborn, as his daughter, and she was indeed headstrong.
Serah only inherited Aerith's sweet, sensible side. But he wouldn't doubt that his youngest wasn't just as strong. It had been ten years after all, and people change within time.
"Cloud, she's after her birth right." Reeve took another sigh along with Cloud. "I'm afraid it was my fault, she wanted no part in this, and I pushed her to do so." That's when he struck a nerve. Cloud turned around and glared at the man. "So you pushed her to risk her life? She was living fine without being involved in any of this."
"Majesty, it was on the late Queen's Orders..actually." Cid Raines stood at Reeve's side, trying to save his behind of course, because Cloud was giving Reeve a deadly look that had the intent of killing. "When we thought you passed, Her Majesty gave us orders, on what to do if something happened to the two of you."
Reeve noded his head in agreement. "Now that you are alive, and well. Cloud, do you intent on taking back the throne?"
Cloud thought on it, but he had already known his answer. "What kind of King, abandons his family, and Kingdom. I've done unforgivable things. How can I face them now, and the people?"
"Cloud...do you think Aerith would enjoy seeing you like this? Aerith never lost hope that you were alive and well. She would tell us you were still alive. She held onto that belief. As we all know, Claire looks up to you, and she still does."
Yuffie rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Do I need to beat some sense into you? Go for it! Long Live the King!" Yuffie said jumping up, with a fist pump.
Cloud didn't seem too convinced at first. But he relented, gave in. "She's my legacy, and I will do it for them."
"Long Live the King!"
"Cissnei, do you copy me?" Zack said, paging his walkie.
"Yes Zack, and no I won't go out with you to dinner-"
"Wow harsh, but anways, big news." Zack, Snow, and Tifa stood behind an alleyway.
"Major news actually; Stella was crowned Queen, because her old man was murdered. That's not all of it, there's dozens of soldier preparing theirselves for battle over at the plaza. She's sending them off to Cocoon first, and just like Shinra predicts, she's sending more over to Edge."
He heard no response from Cissnei, instead it was Tseng the one whom had picked up. "Rodger that. Zack, you and your group are to stay there, and inform us of anything else. I want you to infiltrate the castle if you can, come on SOLDIER you're not rusty yet are you?"
A grin appeared on his face. Zack grinned, and then he chuckled a little. "What? Think I can't handle it? I'm a SOLDIER first class. This will be easy as pie." He laughed to himself, turning off the walkie. He turned around and gave his two traveling companions a thumbs up. "You heard the lady, time to infiltrated the Fleuret palace."
"And how do we do that?" Snow said as he stared off at the palace. The Palace was indeed large, but he was sure there were guards everywhere. Extra security actually; he thought. He would just charge in, but charging in didn't seem like such a good idea this time.
"We're playing dress up, aren't we?" Tifa grinned. Zack returned the grin. "Right on, Teef."
Zack picked up his transmitter again. "Yo, Cissnei, we're gonna need some floor plans to the Palace, think you could guide us through?"
"Copy that."
Lightning tossed, and turned in her bed, feeling her cheeks turn hot every time the image of Noctis came into her mind. She shook her head, and buried her face into her pillow, and at last; she gave an exasperated sigh, finally sitting up on the bed. "That idiot, if only he hadn't…" She growled to herself.
"If only that fool had left me alone, I wouldn't feel like this." Lightning got out of bed, feeling restless again.
She needed to get out of here, and fast. She needed to get her hands on that treasure, but it seemed as if that wouldn't be so easily done. There was no way to steal back what rightfully belonged to her, so it seemed as if she had no choice but to leave with empty hands. Something that did not appeal to her, but perhaps getting aid from her close friends, or someone; would help her situation.
Otherwise if she had stayed here, she'd be a sitting duck. That was not an option she would go for either. Lightning was determined to escape the castle.
"Master, you seem distressed."
There came the voice from above; her guardian spirit, and loyal servant; Odin. "Odin." She acknowledged his presence. "As much as I hate to admit; I am troubled." She sighed, as she stood, watching the moonlight.
"There is something I wish for, but cannot obtain." She confessed, with a heavy sigh. "My birthrights given to me, by my own mother. It was entrusted to me, to keep my Kingdom safe." She thought for a moment, and glanced up to her guardian whom stood at her side.
"Odin, you have lived long enough, and I'm sure you have witnessed many wars, long since before I was born."
"My lady, do you request something of me?"
Lightning didn't respond right away. "You have many experiences, Odin. I seek…." She sighed swallowing her pride. "Advice." She finally said.
"My lady, there is no shame in asking for advice. Even the wisest of kings have sought advice from those beneath them."
"Odin, you understand that I need to obtain my birth right. Otherwise I would not be able to stand tall on my throne." She sighed. "But there is no way for me to break in. How would you suppose I do this without getting caught? I need to do this, but all seems impossible."
Odin listened carefully to his master. "Master, I will go on your behalf. Humans cannot harm me, not even those of the Caelum bloodline. You will leave my lady, and I shall stay here. When I return at your side, I will have returned with what rightfully belongs to you."
The idea did not seem to flatter her in the least, but she had no other better ones. She didn't want to leave Odin behind, but he was right. He couldn't be harmed by humans so easily. But she didn't want to leave Odin behind. "Not like this, Odin. I think I will leave it as is. I already have one in my possession, and you at my side. I cannot act too rashly." Odin bowed his head. "As you wish, my lady."
"Odin, you may leave. But I thank you, you have been a great help to me."
With that, Odin disappeared, leaving her to herself. She needed a new plan to get what she needed, and she smiled once, the image of Noctis appeared in her head. "Yes…perhaps…he could help me..."
She stared back out her window, closing her eyes again; listening to the voices of the planet echoing in her mind. For some strange reason, it was the only thing that would put her mind at peace.
"Claire, I believe in you."
Her eyes opened, and she looked around for the sound of the voice. "Mother?" She sighed when she saw nothing.
She looked back outside again. Her view overlooked the kingdom, and from far away; she could see her home.
"I can do this, I will save my kingdom."
"Dysley." Stella said seated, from her throne. "I am giving you a new task. You are to be the new Prime Arch of Cocoon. Because I am Queen, I cannot take that task anymore. Instead you will be the one ruling over Cocoon itself. I want you to purge every single magic user you find, and that includes the L'Cie as well. They will be a hindrance to me, should they ever think of starting an uprising. I want them to be imprisoned in our lands. None shall escape over to the Shinra. I want those fools as powerless as possible, so when I step on them…"
She laughed. "They will beg me for mercy. Rufus Shinra will die at my hands." She added afterwards with small laughter. Dysley bowed his head. "As you wish your majesty. I will do as you command."
"You are dismissed."
Stella watched as Dysley left. She turned over to Jihl, and smirked. "Have you begun to round up the army?"
"Yes Your Majesty." Jihl replied. "Good. I will give you a week to train those Soldiers. They better be well trained, as I do not want any failures. In a week's time, we will send out the army to start the invasion. I will declare war soon, but not yet. I want to surprise that Rufus Shinra." She laughed to herself lightly again.
"Dismissed." She then ordered.
Once she was left alone she turned her head, and stared down at her engagement ring. "Soon enough, I will have your Crystal, Prince Noctis. That Crystal will be mine, and I will strip away your Kingdom from you. You are a fool if you believe I like you in any sort of way." She smirked. "But I think I want to play…a little more." She finally smiled again, as she overlooked her Kingdom.
"War is inevitable if I want to get what I want."
I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
For the next chapter, I plan on focusing more on Stella and whats to come. Stella is our favorite villain, and she has many accomplices, that wish to see her will carried out.
As for Lightning, how will she ever get her hands on what she wants? She might actually get help from some of the most unexpected people.
As for Cloud, when will the family reunion come? All in due time my friends! So just hit that little review button right down there and review!