NoctaLightx: "Hey Everyone! It's so nice to be here today!"
(Crickets chirping)

NoctaLightx: "Right, forgot that nobody knows me yet, aaaaaaaannnnyway, I'd like to thank you for reading this FF Fic (I think that's how you say it, correct me if I'm wrong in the reviews) and would like to point out that this is my first very first Fanfic, ever….. so PLEASE BE MERCIFUL ON ME IN THE REVIEWS! I'm begging you!"

Lightning smacks me over the head: "Stop being such a big baby and get on with it and if you do anything to embarrass me I swear I will-"

NoctaLightx: "Okay enjoy the reading! I'm just going to walk over there now."

"Hey! Get back here I'm not done with you yet!"

Disclaimer: I own nothing that concerns Final Fantasy or Square Enix or etc. This story was made purely for recreation and practice, so if there are any good ideas, share them with me POLITELY on the reviews.

Plus some descriptions are from the FF Wiki. I'm not good at describing fight scenes, just giving you a fair warning. Plus, please don't hate me for this, but for Lightning's real name I'm going to use Claire instead of Eclaire. It just sounds better to me. Plus I didn't want her name to be something I eat.

One more thing, the first couple of chapters include parts from some of the FF XIII-2 and FF Versus XIII (Or XIII Versus) trailers. Which means that Lightning and Noctis's outfits will be what they appear in the trailers for the time being. Just to get a good mental picture as I describe them, Enjoy! (Smack!) OUCH! What was that for?"

Lighting: "For making this stupid thing so long before the story!"

8/15/11 CH.1 has been reedited for all. Enjoy!

Ch.1
One myth,
countless stories
FINAL FANTASY XIII
The New Tale of the Crystal
Like the light that shines through the Crystal,
the universe shines with multi-colored content.
Now all that is visible and invisible is unbalanced
The destruction will ensue
The light and shadow shall meet and work as one
The shadow shall take its place in light
And light shall shine its path
Or all will be swallowed by Chaos.

Feathers fell from above and touched the ground silently around the knight as she knelt before the crystal edifice before her. The knight sighed, seeing the cold relief she has released the warrior stood and turned in the opposite direction. The light from the crystals and gems shined brilliantly around her as her metal boots clanked upon the cold, stone floor beneath her.

She shook her head, letting her silky strawberry-blonde hair run down her left shoulder and onto her breastplate. Her breastplate only covered her upper torso, with three small gold ornaments. On her shoulders she had double plated shoulder plates, one on top of the other.

On both of her hips were two small matching plates. They only protected her hips, however, exposing her upper thighs for greater movement. There were also two small plates for both front and back, below her lower torso. Three lavender straps hung from each of them, all having golden points. A sash was hung over her left hip, carrying snow white feathers that reach to her feet and follow behind her elegantly as she walked. She wore thigh high armored boots; with one spike each protruding from the knees. The steel had gold trimming, and she wore metal heels on her feet.

Her gauntlets reached up to just above the middle of her arm and the armor exposed the front of her forearms. Single large spikes sprouted from the elbows. Her gloves each had four gold knuckles on the silver metal, and then exposing her fingers, which were in a skintight black cloth. The cloth started at the tips of her fingers to covering most of her bicep. On her left arm she carried a small round shield with the symbol of the Crystal Guardians on it. Under all of the plates and armor she wore skintight black cloth and dark colored straps, showing her excellent curves and physique. The only skin that was being shown was her thighs, underarms, head and neck.

As she walked, she pondered the same questions she has been contemplating since her revival. She arrived to a window where she can oversee the planet Pulse.

So much has happened, she thought, placing a gauntlet onto the carved handrail of the window.

It's been 3 years since their recovery from crystal stasis. After their restoration, they discovered that Cocoon was still evacuating to Gran Pulse after the battle with Orphan and the events of Ragnarok.

Lightning! Lightning where are you?

I wonder how Serah is doing? I hope that idiot Snow knows what he's doing or I will kill him, bring him back from hell, and then kill him again.

She gave a sad smile, which made the idea of her pounding the man into the ground all the more pleasing in her mind's eye. At the same time, a tear formed in her eye when she remembered her little sister.

Her name was Serah, and she was the only family Lightning had left. Their parents died when they were young and Lightning felt it was her responsibility to take care of them; which is why she changed her name to seem more mature and grown up, leaving behind her painful past.

They looked almost exactly alike, despite the difference of three years; the same hair, the same eyes, (except Serah's were a darker shade of blue), and other similar features. The strangest thing was that they had two very different personalities; Serah's was more loving, sweet, and open while Lightning was the cold soldier, making a living in the Guardian Corps, a military branch dedicated to protecting civilians.

She should be 23 by now. I bet she got her job as a teacher and is living a good life with Snow… a life without me.

She started to follow the handrail, then walked down an adjacent hallway into another corridor where she reminisced her friends, her best friends

Snow Villiers was Lightning's brother-in-law, though she didn't see the wedding. He is tall, strong, and either extremely brave or extremely stupid. Snow had light blond hair, blue eyes, and a stubble beard. He always wore a black bandana with a beige trench coat, and no matter what he seemed to keep that goofy grin on his face, always calling himself the hero.

He's probably still with NORA too. Will he ever grow up?

NORA stood for "No Obligation, Rules, or Authority", obviously they named themselves rebels. They ignored PSICOM and the Guardian Corps, taking matters into their own hands whenever there was trouble. The members consisted of Lebreau, Maqui, Yuj, Snow, and Gadot. Lightning hated to admit it, but without Snow she probably would have given up, believing that Serah was gone forever. Lightning would have become a C'ieth, the monster that a l'Cie, someone whom the Fal'cie have chosen, would turn into if he/she did not complete their 'Focus', or special mission, given to them by the Fal'cie.

Lightning's mind continued down her list of friends, Sazh and Dajh must be living a normal life now. Dajh was so cute when I last saw him; he's lucky to have such a great father. I wonder if Sazh became a pilot again?

If anyone could even come close to understanding Lightning, it would be Sazh Katzroy. Sazh was someone she could depend on; after all, they had similar backgrounds. Both had some military service and both had only one known family member left. The Fal'cie took them both away as well, leaving them with the same goal and focus. Sazh is a middle-aged black man with a distinctive afro, a green coat and he always carried two pistols at his side, like Lightning always used to carry her gunblade. She also liked the way he bantered his way through when he was in danger, even in do-or-die situations. (though she did not admire it at first).

Dajh Katzroy, on the other hand, was his eight year old son, who was taken by the Fal'cie. He had the same afro as his father, and if there was any one word that could describe him it would be 'innocent'. After defeating Orphan, Lightning was proud and a little jealous of when she saw father and son reunited.

Hope and his father must have gotten back together too. To think that a kid like that could grow so much in so little time, I'll bet anything that he's gotten stronger and stronger, and he probably has a girlfriend too.

Lightning smirked at her little joke, knowing that the once stuttering Hope Estheim is now a courageous and compassionate young man. Last time she saw him he was 14 with silver hair and blue-green eyes. She wasn't proud of how she encouraged him to try and kill Snow because of the accident with Hope's mother. But she did take pride in how she helped him grow after that, making up for her mistake. Overall, Hope was like a little brother to Lightning. Etro only knows what kind of surprises he made when he grew up after these past 5 years.

Lightning stopped in the corridor, placing a hand on her heart, which suddenly grew heavy. Her smile disappeared. She then continued, but slower and quieter than before.

Fang, Vanille…

She stopped in a large, circular chamber made entirely of blue and purple crystal. Crystal spires and twisted shapes sprouted from the floor, walls, and ceiling all pointing to the center, where, surrounded by multiple nets of precious stones and energy, was a flower made of crystal.

In the blossom were two figures completely crystallized. One looked like a regular girl with shoulder length hair in pigtails and the other looked like an older woman in her twenties, with hair that reaches down to her shoulder blades. The younger girl was holding one of the older one's hands with both of hers as if her life depended on it.

Hey, what took you so long huh? Said a woman's voice with a foreign accent.

The sound seemed like it echoed through Lightning's mind, spreading comfort and familiarity throughout her consciousnesses.

Fang don't be so rude! Said another voice, younger and more gentle, but still with the same accent.

She doesn't mind, right Light?

"No, it's ok Vanille. Don't worry." Lightning said.

Are you sure? Because I can make her nice.

"Yes, I am."

Lightning paced below the two figures and gave a smile, a small one, but it was still a smile. Oerba Yun Fang and Oerba Dia Vanille were her only two friends in that isolated temple, speaking to her telepathically. They were the true saviors of Cocoon, the moon that orbited Pulse; sacrificing themselves and turning into Ragnarok. They used its power to stop Cocoon from crashing into Pulse, creating a spire made of magma and crystal between the two worlds.

Vanille was the cheery and innocent girl who could put a smile on anyone's face while Fang was more of a tomboyish woman, still compassionate, but a bit rough at times. And boy she loved to play with people's feelings, especially Lightning's.

OH Lightning you're smiling! Vanille exclaimed, sounding surprised by the sudden act.

Hey she's right, what's the special occasion Light? Fang asked, suspicious of her strawberry-blonde.

"It's just nice to be able to talk with you two again, Fang's razzing and your whining are the only things that have kept me from going insane."

Vanille and I really are the only things that bring any life to this place huh? What would you do without us? Fang said lightheartedly.

"Etro only knows." She said flinching inwardly at the comment Fang made. Am I really that dull? Well besides the dreams, I guess nothing really exciting happened to me recently. Lightning started to remember her dreams. All she would make out was her sister crying, a monster, a huge battle between men and beasts, and a tall dark figure.

Vanille asked, Did you have the dream again?

Lightning sighed, put down her shield, and sat down on one of the twisting crystals, using it as a chair, "Which one?" she asked.

You had multiple dreams? Fang asked troubled.

"I had them all." She said with a concerned look.

Oh boy. Which one's botherin you the most? Fang said, ready to begin her therapy.

Lightning closed her eyes and hung her head back, trying to picture the dreams in her mind's eye. When she was about to suggest one-

Ooo oooo! What about the one with the black haired man with those deep blue eyes you told us about? Did you have any new dreams about him? Vanille asked excitingly.

Lightning slightly blushed and turned away as Fang gave a small chuckle. When she stopped she said in what Lightning suspected a mocking tone, Oh yes, we must learn more of this prince charming our Light has fallen for!

Lightning sighed, "We've had this conversation before Fang, it won't work on me this time."

Aww isn't that sweet of how our little soldier actually has a spark of love in her?

Lightning now stood up, blushing more but at the same time furious, "I have not fallen for him, I don't even know if he exists! It could all just be a damn dream for all I care!" Lightning covered her mouth instantly, realizing her outburst.

But you do care, don't you?

Lightning stared at Fang with a look that could kill, "If I could hit you-"

But you can't.

Please stop fighting you two! Vanille said, not angrily, but obviously impatient to hear the dream.

Another pause came over the trio, until Lightning felt tired of the awkward silence and, seeing as they weren't going anywhere, gave into their curiosity.

"Alright, fine. I concede." She said reluctantly, throwing her hands up in defeat. Lightning usually never gives up in an argument like this, but maybe they can help her solve these cryptic dreams. She shuddered at the thought of the man she dreamed of, this feeling she had when she saw him. What was making her feel this way?

YES!

Ha! I knew you had emotions like these! You just couldn't bottle them up, could ya?.

Lightning forced herself a straight face, saying in her head I swear when you're free from that crystal, I'm gonna make you eat those words!

She raised her head, and held back her threats in her throat, saying, "Alright, this is how I remember it." So Lightning tells her two only friends her dreams in this bright and lonely place she now calls home, away from where she was forgotten.

End Chapter 1

NoctaLightx: Hey not bad. Though I guess I was a bit shaky.
But, first chapter of first fanfic, so I would say it's not that bad, it is a little slow at the beginning but things will pick up soon enough.
By the way, when I was saying visible and invisible, I mean the world of the living and the dead. OH CRAP! Shh shh, she's coming!

(Hides under the desk)

Lightning storms in: All right where are you! How could you make me blush like a school girl in the first chapter huh? Aha! There you are!"
(Picks me up)
NoctaLightx: W-well I thought it would be a little humorous and that p-people c-can see you really do h-have feelings and y-you're not j-just some r-robot.

Lightning pauses for a second, then punches NoctaLightx across the room

Light: I was merciful on you today but next time you won't be so lucky.

She storms off.

NoctaLightx: Okay well thanks for reading again! See ya next chapter in "The Light in the Night Sky"
(passes out)