"You have guts for almost killing my subordinate, Kid. I'll give you that," the Lieutenant Amodar says as a Guardian Corp Soldier approaches and smacks his rifle stock against the back of the Blonde Swordsman head's making him unconscious.

"This guy is something else. He has to be restrained with something heavy." one of the GC soldiers instructed.

"I agree... the Kid is dangerous, that's for sure. We take him back to base for an interrogation." Amodar agrees as he picked up the blonde man on his shoulder, while the other GC soldier picked up the oversized sword that belonged to the spikey-haired man.

Lightning Farron, a sergeant in the Bodhum Security Regiment of Guardian Corp. was tasked with taking down an unidentified trespasser along with her regiment under the command of Lieutenant Amodar for years. However, something unexpected happened to her during a head-to-head battle against the mysterious Spikey Haired Swordsman. He wore a tone-black sleeveless shirt, long pants, and pairs of heavy boots. On his left shoulder, he had a metal shoulder pad, and on his left hand, a metal gauntlet. But what made her something unforgettable about him was his eyes. They were actually glowing, unlike anything she had ever seen before. When he was about to kill her, she couldn't never forget those eyes.

GC Headquarters

the interrogation is ongoing after The Blonde man was under custody by Lieutenant Amodar tried to get information about the Blonde man identity.

"You have a lot to explain. Starting with who you are. nobody in PSICOM or GC database matches your prints. No facial recongition hits, Idetification card, passport not even a student I.D" Amodar interrogate the blonde man still sitting at his chair with His hand cuffed.

"So you assumed that I'm somekind of Alien or something?" the blonde man scoffed

"One piece of advice, kid. don't make things difficult for me. I'm in no mood to crack a joke today after chasing your butt for a whole day, not to mention that you almost killed my subordinate on that roof. So, you better be straight honest with me like your life depends on it," the Lieutenant threatened the blonde like it was nothing. Lightning had never seen anything like it.

"Ex-SOLDIER, 1st class, Cloud Strife. now you need to let me go." the Blonde known as Cloud Strife reveal himself. but then without a warning Amodar punched him in the face. but to everyone suprised he didn't flinch in pain after the Lieutenant landed his giant fist at the Blonde's face.

"You've got some balls, kid. I like that. Hell, maybe you can bang my sister." Amodar praised. "But too bad, cause nobody knows a damm about what you are."

Behind the intteregation room. Lightning still curious about this man known as Cloud Strife. there is something diffreant about him.

"I heard you he almost got you Serge." one of GC Soldier said

"I don't want to talked about it." Lightning growled

"Oh, yeah, silly me. Sorry about that." the soldier said, feeling regret for mentioning Lightning's near-death experience. "Anyway, does anything he says ring a bell for you?"

"not a thing. I don't even think this guy is a PSICOM to begin with. there is Something strange bout this guy." Lightning replied as the Intterogation is finished as Amodar leves the room.

"He is one hard nut to crack," Amodar said. "That kid sure is something else. Corporal, take this to my office." Amodar handed over a cassette tape to the corporal.

"As for you, Farron, I assume you have been briefed about tonight's guard duty at the fireworks display."

"Yes sir. I'm well prepared for the tonight's assigntment."

"Good. I'm going to need more manpower for tonight's guard duty." Amodar leaves the room, leaving Lightning alone. She looks back at the interrogation room, staring at the mysterious blonde man.

"Okay... so far, everything I've said, they don't buy it. But then, this place is weird as hell... and these people don't seem to be with Shinra. Or rather... they don't have a clue what Shinra is." Cloud thought as he reached his conclusions.

"What are you trying to tell me, Aerith?" Cloud remembered the momment he almost killed the Rose-haired Woman known to as Farron. but it was stopped when the momment Aerith's Voice was heard in his mind telling not to killed her. He couldn't let his mind at ease knowing that Sephiroth and Jenova are on losse. Will Tifa, Barret and the other's able to stopped Sephiroth without him?

"Every momment, every action, every step taken had all been as the Whispers willed it."

"Guess Every words you said about The Whispers is so damm right Red... and now I'm stuck here in this Strange World." Cloud thinkin the momment Red Explained about the Whispers.

Looking at the small vent, Cloud can see fireworks exploding in the air. The last time he saw fireworks was at the Gold Saucer riding Ferris wheel with Aerith.

"I'm searching for you, Cloud. I want to meet you. I've been trying so hard to find the real you..."

Bodhum. Fireworks Festival

Lightning Stared at the night sky filled with colorfull Fireworks. Eversince she was a little. this just an ordiniary night for her staring at the Fireworks making a wish.

"You look dreamy, Farron." Lieutanant Amodar voice came from behind her causing her to jump. "Wishing on fireworks, were you? And you call yourself a soldier!" Amodar chuckeled.

"Sorry, Lieutenant. But I really don't think guard duty is my field, sir." Lightning scoffed and gave her superior a slight bow.

"Well, lucky for you, your shift just ended. Pack it up and go home." Amodae poked her head.

"But-Sir" Lightning stuttered.

"PSICOM found something in vestige nearby. They don't want the Gurdian Corps here stickin our noses on their toes. I'm sure you heard about the accident at the Euride gorge energy plant..."

"Also, apparently they have taken an interest in our new "friend" after today's incident."

"Our Prisoner is getting a transfer to PSICOM for further Intteregation?" Lightning pondered.

"Seems like it. You're taking tommorow off?" Amodar chaged the subject.

"Yes Sir, for my birthday, sir. My sister, she insisted on it." Lightning answered

"Tweanty-one, huh? Maybe it's a good time to send off that letter of recommendation for officer training."

"Lieutenant..." Lightning gasped

"You're a past due for a promotion, Farron. Think of your sister, and your future. Oh.. and, uh.. Keep your nose out of trouble."

"Out of PSICOM business, you mean?" She inquired.

"It's better this way, Farron... you must stay away from the PSICOM. For the sake of your future." Amodar warned, leaving the Sergeant alone.

The Next Day

Today is day off for Lightning. her sister insited to celebrate her Birthday on her House. Serah Farron, Lightning's Younger sister had the same appereance as her older sister. the only diffreance is She is not hardened warrior and far innocent unlike her sister.

"Happy birthday sis!" Serah beamed hugging her older sister an Lightning welcomed her hug.

"Care a hug for me as well?" A blonde Goliath in trenchcoat known as Snow Villiers. Serah's Boyfriend. but Lightning always never liked him and never approved him for dating Serah.

"in your dream, Idiot." Lightning hissed

The Farron sisters are celebrating their little family party. But then suddenly it changed. Lightning is observant. She noticed Serah had been acting strange ever since the beginning.

"You're trembling, Serah. Did something happen?" Lightning said in a soft tone. Then she noticed a white bandage wrapped around Serah's upper left arm. "Did Snow hurt you?" She glared at Snow, who seemed to start feeling uneasy as well.

Serah takes a deep breath looked at Snow giving her a supportive grin. but She still unable to looked at her Sister's eyes.

"Well... it goes like this. I got good news and bad news." Serah said dazingly

"The good news is Snow propesed me last night and I said yes. but the bad news is..."

without saying more words, Serah unwrapped the white bandage on her upper left arm.

"Oh god..." Lightning thought disbelief

"something pulled me into Vestige and then when I came out. I was a Pulse l'Cie."

"You became a I'Cie, so now you're going to marry this idiot?!" Lightning snapped in furious almot loses the control of her temper "And you think I'm going to buy that? Full points for originality." her words was sharp for Serah to handle.

"Don't forget. If you really are a l'Cie, then it's my job to deal with you."

"Sis..." Serah whimpered in hurtful tone.

"This is ridiculous, worst birthday ever!" Lightning spat disgustedly. Then, Serah took off, exiting their house, running off on her own while crying in full tears.

"Wait! Serah!" Snow called but then turned his gaze toward Lightning "Why won't you believe her?!" Snow spat as Lightning starting tense up more

"You kidding me? She becomes a l'Cie and then you pop the question?"

"Lightning! Stop it." Snow roared slaming his fist onto th table.

"NO, you stop it! Get the hell out of my House!" She slammed both her hands at the table causing th table to shudder.

"You're shutting her out, She's your sister!" Snow pleadingly hoping she get a sense to him but Lightning keep ingnored him looking away crossing her arms firmly.

"Fine I'll do it. I'll protect her!" Snow said as he running chasing Serah.

As for Lightning, she is still frustrated with anger, knowing her sister could have become someone better, but instead, she chose to live with Snow. The worst part of it is that she claims herself to be an l'Cie.

A few moments later, she cleaned up the whole table after her unpleasant birthday party. But then, something caught her attention: a box wrapped with ribbon. With curiosity, she opened the box, and it revealed a flip knife with a metallic bronze handguard. Surprisingly, she was impressed by Serah's decision to give this as a birthday gift.

"How practical." she sighed feeling an instant regret the words she said to Serah.

"we interrupt this program to bring you this emergency brodcast" a voice of telvesion caught Lightning's Attention.

Late last night, officials confirmed the presence of a Pulse Fal'Cie inside the city of Bodhum. Acting with Fal'Cie Eden's approval, officials have declared a state of emergency the entire district will be quarantined in response to this crisis.

"No..." a realization hit's Lightning's mind like a truck. Serah was telling the truth. but she chose to pushed her away.

"I'm such an idiot!" Lightning curses. by becoming a l'Cie, Serah is now offcially a Fugitive to Sanctum. She need to stop this. what ever it takes to save her only Sister.

"I'm gonna need a hand on this.." Lightning Muttered about her plan, and she know where she need to go.

GC Headquarters, one hour later.

Inside his cell, Cloud still sitting in his bed like statue unable to do aything from the inside. ever since he was arrested by the Guardian Corps, He still able to composure himself for being alone in his cell. but then someone approching him outside his cell. it was the Rose-Haired Woman that he encountered yesterday.

"You. I want to talked to you.." The rose-haired woman says flatly

"This is quite a surprise. I didn't think you actually came here to talk to me." Coud says casually

"Cut the pleasantries. I have a job offer for you. During the interrogation, you said yourself that you are a mercenary for hire."

"Hmph... What if I am?" Cloud scoffed.

"I'm giving you a choice: you can stay here for the rest of your lives without being able to see the outside world. Or, you can come with me onboard The Purge Train," the woman said. But then Cloud started to stand up.

"One condition, I want to know what happened to me and where I am. Also, what the hell is going on in this place?" Cloud said bluntly. "Every word your boss said about PSICOM and Sanctum doesn't make sense to me. And then you guys seem not to know a goddamn thing about Shinra and SOLDIER and then act like I'm crazy or something. Now it's my turn. I want honesty."

"Fine... I'll play teacher for you," the woman sighed as she explained everything about Cocoon, Sanctum, Guardian Corps, PSICOM, and lastly, the Fal'Cie.

"Shit... What could be anything gone wrong ever since the Destiny's Crossroads back at Midgar.. this is to much..."

"You seem to be taking this so well, knowing that you are in a world that you never set your foots on." the rose-haired woman said.

"It doesn't seem I have many choices about what to believe in right now," Cloud sighed. "Fine... I'll do it. But I'm not doing this for you. I have my own reasons."

"Good choice." the woman said as she opened the cell and letting Cloud stepped outside. both of them made a staring eachother for a while.

"Lightning Farron." The woman known as Lightning introduced her self.

"Cloud Strife."

"Okay, Cloud. Let's get your sword first, you're going to need it."

Cloud and Lightning sneakily walked through the corridor of the jail cells. Luckily, there were only a few guards stationed at the GC Headquarters. Both of them made it into the Armory where Cloud's Buster Sword was confiscated. Lightning took a surplus of Supplies for the mission. as for Cloud. he didn't take anything else beside his Sword.

"Are you at least going to brief me about where we're going?" Cloud asked as he put his Sword on his back.

"My Sister..." Lightning muttered holding her composure wich made Cloud stared at her in curiosity "I just found out that She is a Pulse l'Cie. She was taken into Pulse Vestige and then they moved it into the Hanging Edge."

"So that's why you needed to get on into the Purge Train to get a Shortcut."

"it's the only way. let's get going, we got a train to catch." she said put her Blazefire Saber at her holster along with Cloud following her behind.

Bodhum Train Station

Everything was going as planned, Cloud and Lightning walked trought the Station filled with People wearing the white robes for the Purge.

"Re..u..nion.."

Cloud mind was racing toward something else. looking at the white robes, wich made him remembered the Sephiroth-clone he used to followed across Gaia.

"Hey!" Lightning's voice came from a distance. "You're falling behind. C'mon." Cloud eventually caught up with her.

"Attention Purge deportees. Follow instructions and stay in your lines! Personal belongings will be returned upon arrival; Do not leave your lines, this is for your own safety!" a PSICOM officer barked to a crowd of restless civilians.

Lightning and Cloud moved past them without a flinch and both mentally prepared what they about to witnessed. a gunfire heard shooting at the fleeing civillians

"You." PSICOM Soldier pointed at Lightning. "What's the GC doing here? This op's under PSICOM direction."

"So direct me, Let me on, I want to be Purged." Lightning said impatienly

"Only civs get Purged, Sanctum staff and Soldiers are exempt."

"Not anymore." Cloud said casually handing over the Buster Sword

"We quit." Lightning also said handing over her Blazefire saber

"Suit yourself.. Line up!" PSICOM Officer shouts as Both of them entered the line.

"Excuse me? Hey you, guys."a whispher came from behind Cloud and Lightning turned and find a dark skinned Afro haired man wearing a green coat.

"What gives?"

"We Volunteered." Lightning replied

"Really? you don't look ready to go quiet into that good night." he said disbelievingly

"You want quiet, you'd better take the next train." She fired back and followed Cloud while he was on the line entering the Train.

"Déjà vu..." Cloud whispered remembered the Train on the way to the bombing mission on Shinra's Mako Reactor.

Author's Note: man, It took me about Six hours to finish this chapter, but at least the FFXIII arc will begin in the next chapter. I'm actually quite excited to have Cloud onboard along with Lightning and Sazh at the begining. they make a hell of a team kickin PSICOM's ass while on the way to saves Serah.

Stay tuned for the next chapter and don't forget to leave a review!