Hey, alligators! I know it's been a while for this one and most of you probably gave up on it, but that's fine. I am finally able to access the game again, so it's finally back in action. Enjoy!
Lightning sighed as she and the others boarded the Lindblum ship. She glanced around, recognizing the Guardian Corps uniforms and feeling uneasy by being surrounded by so many. Setting her jaw, the former soldier continued following Fang and the others, ignoring the hidden gazes of her former comrades.
So what if they're judging me for being a l'Cie? She thought to herself. They don't matter. None of them do. The only thing that matters is fulfilling Serah's wish of saving Cocoon and bringing down anyone who stands in my way of getting my baby sister back.
Nodding to herself, Lightning walked to stand beside Fang and glanced up at a screen that was displaying the news to those present. She listened as the newscaster mentioned two l'Cie that had been captured in Nautilus. Instantly, she knew that those were Sazh and Vanille. I knew they would get captured. She inwardly sighed.
Fang's thoughts were on roughly similar tracks as Lightning's, shifting her weight as she and the others listened to the broadcast. L'Cie in Nautilus? That could be Vanille! I should have known they'd catch her. Well, I'm gonna get'er back.
Lightning noticed Fang's behavior and shot her a raised eyebrow before turning to Raines as the brigadier general began speaking. "…oversee the judgement of the villainous l'Cie, their execution will be the climax and fal'Cie dominion will be undisputed."
"All part of the plan." Lightning murmured, repulsed by the very idea.
Fang shot a glance to the pink-haired soldier, noting her tone. Did she sound almost… disgusted? Well, I guess if I'd said anything, I would have… wait a minute. Fang's mind as a warrior began kicking in, analyzing the information she'd just been given. This broadcast is too predictable. They're giving us all the information we need… they know I'm coming for Vanille… They must know that Raines may be against them.
"They're baiting us." She told the others. "Tryin' to draw us out."
"Bait, huh?" Snow said thoughtfully.
"Yeah, that's right." Lightning murmured, her mind gaining the same track as Fang's. "Here are your friends, come and get'em."
Snow slammed his fists together, his ever present smile in place as he growled, "If they're daring us to mount a rescue, I'll take that action."
"All righty." Rygdea called to them. "We leave when you're ready. I'll be standing by."
"Shouldn't we plan first?" Hope asked as Snow and Lightning made to follow him.
Lightning scoffed mockingly as she and Snow said, "Heroes don't need plans." Fang noticed that Lightning's tone, though still emotionless, somehow managed to mock the words she was saying despite Snow's reverence in them. Hope didn't notice the tone, taking it as both Snow and Lightning being serious.
"Seriously? That's a ship full of monsters and soldiers and who knows what else! We need to prepare!"
Fang shook her head, deciding to go along with the other two older members of the group. "The longer it takes to do that, the closer Vanille is to Eden. I want her safe. We'll plan as we go."
The group raced after Rygdea, stopping in front of a PSICOM vessel. "Take all the PSICOM troops apart." He chortled.
"And we're supposed to take on all of them?" Lightning inquired. "I think the whole division's on board." Not that I mind taking down more PSICOM troops. Who knows how many civilians could have died thanks to them not cooperating with Guardian Corps regulation? I'd rather take out the whole of PSICOM than let more innocent people die… Serah wouldn't want that.
"I don't care how many lackeys they've got. Bring'em on!" Fang spat, clutching her favorite weapon tighter at the thought of her best friend. "Vanille's in there." And I'll rip apart anyone else who tries to keep me from her.
"I'm sure she's fine." Hope said glumly. Fang turned a raised eyebrow on him, as did Lightning. "Vanille's tougher than I could ever be."
That's for damned sure. Fang mentally snorted, Lightning unknowingly copying her thoughts. However, instead of voicing her mind, the pinkette sighed and asked, "Hope, are you scared?"
The whitette borderline snickered as he replied, "Yeah, I'm terrified. But I'll be fine. Because I have you." Lightning nodded. "And this guy." Snow snorted slightly with laughter. "And Fang." Fang glanced at him, a little touched. He said my name too… "We're all in this mess." Hope told them. "We gotta stick together."
Lightning nodded once more as Rygdea broke up the mush-fest and the pinkette led the rest of them into the vessel. Fang slid in beside her as Snow and Hope squeezed into the back. The soldier started the engine and they lifted into the air.
"You know how to fly this thing, Sunshine?"
"Nope."
"Well then, uh, you might wanna learn because my Lance just speared the autopilot."
Lightning glanced to the damaged console and sighed, taking the wheel. The group easily soured to the Palamecia and Fang smirked at the pinkette. "Thought you said you couldn't fly it." She teased.
"I can't." Lightning shrugged. "Your lance never touched the autopilot. You broke the air conditioning."
Fang stared at her, slightly impressed. "Clever girl, aren't ya?"
Lightning shrugged, glancing around. Something's not right. She thought, eyeing her surroundings. It was too easy to get aboard. Just as this thought registered, a mechanical voice shouted, "Code red! I repeat, code red! This is not a drill!" Knew it.
"Alright!" Snow shouted as soldiers raced toward them. "Let's tear'em up!"
"We're here for Vanille and Sazh." Lightning reminded him, getting her weapon ready. "Stay focused."
With Fang and Hope as her backup, Lightning leaped into battle against the group of soldiers that had come to confront them. Watching as Fang switched to Commando while Hope remained in Ravager mode so he could hang back, Lightning decided to go as Commando as well, knowing that these people weren't monsters and didn't need to have magic used on them.
Leaping forward, she and Fang slashed at each of the soldiers, their blades working in synchronization while Hope brought down the occasional lightning strike on an opponent to stagger it so the two warriors could finish it off.
They had just finished with the first wave of troops when more were heard heading their way. "Looks like they wanna play." Fang grinned.
"No kidding." Snow chuckled. "So, where to?"
Lightning didn't hear Fang's answer, too preoccupied with the oncoming flow of troops. Just as she was about to attack, Snow grabbed her and headed in the opposite direction. "Why are we running?" Lightning demanded, trying to break free of his grip.
"Because Fang spotted a different route that didn't involve wasting time fighting." Snow replied.
What if I wanted to fight? Lightning internally grumbled, glaring at the troops chasing them. She would have loved to beat their heads into the ground, but Snow's grip on her was too strong and she couldn't shake it when she wasn't facing him.
Suddenly, Fang let out a curse. "Guess we're fighting after all." Lightning smirked. They're all over the ship. It was only a matter of time. With a nod to the others, the pink-haired soldier leaped into action. Lightning decided to follow Fang's lead and forgo magic attacks for close range swordplay instead since these were regular foot soldiers and easily taken down.
As they were getting rid of the soldiers, one of Hope's shots misfired and hit part of the wall. The four l'Cie backed in one direction as the PSICOM soldiers stumbled in another, both parties trying to avoid being crushed. When they were out of the danger zone, Snow examined the closed off entryway and whistled. Not that way. "Won't be going back that way." He sighed.
"We'll find another route." Lightning shrugged, unfazed by the slight turn of events.
"Way ahead of you." Fang called, pointing above their heads at some walkways. Lightning glanced to her questioningly for a moment, wondering if Snow and Hope would be able to keep up with the two of them along those pathways.
"Let's go." Hope ordered, his voice deeper to appear more masculine. Both Fang and Lightning looked to him speculatively, watching him slowly move forward.
He really does try to act as manly as possible after a battle, doesn't he? Fang snorted internally, her smirk widening just a bit, the only clue to her amusement. Lightning's thoughts were along the same path, but with a different tone. Poor kid. Trying to act like an adult won't change the fact that you're still young and innocent.
The soldier shook her head, leading the way further into the Palamecia. They needed to tread carefully as there were soldiers, Deckdrones and – at every turn and landing. Even despite her fervent dislike of PSICOM, Lightning felt a minuscule stab of sympathy for the soldiers she was injuring and perpetually killing. Fang had no such inhibitions, slashing opponents down at every battle as if they were mere animals.
Was I ever like that when protecting Serah? Lightning wondered, absently stabbing another troop through his armor. Could've been, but she's never been in any real danger before.
But she's in danger now and you feel remorse.
Right. I need to act more like Fang. Keep my eyes on my sister. With that resolve, Lightning let go of her emotions and attacked wholeheartedly, twirling her body in a dance as familiar as breathing.
Fang stopped in a rare quiet moment in the battle to watch the soldier fight. She changed somehow. The huntress thought. Either she's shut off her emotions completely or she's lettin'em dictate her actions, but her fighting's gotten different.
Stopping at a conjoined intersecting hallway after defeating another flood of soldiers, Snow pressed his back to the wall. "Let us through!" he shouted to those possibly waiting around the corner. "Block our way, you die!"
If they come chargin' around that corner, I'm gonna stab him. Fang threatened with a growl. "You tryin' to get'em angry?" she hissed.
"Eh, I thought maybe they'd run." Lightning groaned at his sheer idiocy. "There's been enough blood spilt."
"You thought they'd run?" Lightning demanded, annoyance clear in her voice, expression and posture. "Let me refresh your memory." She stood in front of the brawler, within clear shooting range of around-the-corner attacks. Her sixth sense'll save her. Fang thought nonchalantly as Lightning spoke to Snow. "…fal'Cie have them all brainwashed."
Snow growled out his frustration at the fal'Cie, hating every last one of them for what was happening. Just then, an alarm blared, the mechanical voice from before shouting, "Attention! All crew! Code green, I repeat, code green! Security forces stand by. Hostile forces on board."
Oh yeah! Fang grinned maliciously, green eyes narrowing in triumph. They know we're here and they know we're coming for'em.
Forty minutes later, after issuing a code green and yet another battle with a few Raiders, Huntresses and a freaking Viking Tilter, the alarm voice piped up once more. "Code purple! I repeat, code purple! Security breach, all units on alert. Code purple!"
"All these colors." Hope murmured in confusion. "What does it mean?"
Means we're getting closer to Vanille. Fang thought, deciding to word that differently for esteem purposes. "Means we're doin' our job." She replied. "Makin' a lot of PSICOM guys nervous."
Lightning scoffed quietly at that. The colors mean nothing. She inwardly huffed. All of these 'procedures' are just to make them feel like they're doing something to keep troop morale up. Thank goodness the Corps didn't have a system like this. Nothing would have ever gotten done.
Suddenly, gunshots rang out a ways down the corridor and all four l'Cie were instantly on alert. "Who are they fighting?" Hope asked, his hands ready to throw magic if he needed to.
Fang's body was wound tighter than a coil as she stared in the direction the shots were coming from, knuckles white as she gripped her lance and whispered, "Vanille." Lightning's ears flicked at the whisper and knew they were heading in that direction. If the soldier knew nothing else about sisters, she knew that if you want your sister safe, go to her and keep her safe. Lightning had a hunch that's exactly what Fang planned to do.
Arriving in a large spherical room filled to the brim with Thermadons, Huntresses and who knew what else, Lightning inwardly grumbled as she led her team through. At first, it was fine. They made it through the first Thermadon fine, though they had quite a few run-ins with the Huntresses. However, they weren't so lucky when a Huntress caught up to them and brought the attention of a nearby Thermadon.
Snarling angrily, Lightning immediately cast Blizzard on the Huntress, aggravated that she couldn't get away from fighting these things. The Huntresses were fine, but after fighting the Lucidon, Lightning was sick of heavily armored military artillery. Fang took down the Huntress well enough on her own, which allowed for the three of them to focus completely on the Thermadon intent upon frying Hope to a crisp. Sending a potion his way, Lightning and Fang leaped into action.
It was a harrowing battle. Halfway through, both Lightning and Fang were sick and irritated with being continually blown up, neither liking that one shot could render them useless for more than a few seconds. Fang went so far as to stab the creature's tail to relinquish her frustration at the difficulty of beating it. The few times the trio managed to stagger it, Lightning and Hope sent the lizard up into the air where Fang took shot after shot, relishing in delivering a bit of payback. Near the end of the battle, Lightning actually just let Hope send it into the air and joined Fang in laying complete waste to the defenseless form.
Sighing, Lightning felt a bit better about defeating the Thermadon on the way to wherever Vanille and Sazh were. The last time she needed to defeat one, it had just been herself and Hope and it… took much longer due to their lack of experience and the absence of one overzealous warrior woman… and it was technically a Lucidon, but that's not the point. With Fang's help, the armored enemy was defeated within minutes and they were making their way toward the next Viking Tilter.
Why won't they all just stand down? Fang growled, slashing at another Vespid. All I want is to complete whatever Focus I have so that I can save my best friend!
Huffing as another enemy was easily defeated, Fang grumbled about the amount of people and military artillery standing in her path. Lightning glanced to the warrior woman a moment before shaking her head and continuing on. They were almost where they needed to be in order to reach Sazh and Vanille, hopefully. We better be close. She snarled, heading inevitably towards another enemy. The more we fight these PSICOM idiots, the more time is being wasted. I'm going to fight this Focus—whatever it is—every step of the way, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to complete it. If I turn into a Cie'th, I won't be able to see Serah wake up. I'd rather die a l'Cie trying to make my sister's wish come true than live a Cie'th without ever seeing Serah again because I'm too busy mourning my new appearance.
With that in mind, Lightning charged at the next group in her way, determined, just like Fang, to see her baby sister again. Quickly defeating the next Thermadon and Vespid duo that tried to stop them, Lightning sighed in relief as she and the others arrived in an open space, once more on the exterior of the ship.
"The wind." Hope murmured. "It's dying down."
"Yeah, it's decreasing." The blonde woman agreed. "And we're decelerating. They up to something?"
"I don't suppose it could just be, I don't know, good luck?" Snow inquired. Hatches opened up all around them to allow large vespids out, all trained and well-quipped to attack.
"That looks a lot more like bad luck." Fang told him, glaring slightly at Snow.
"Not to me." Lightning argued optimistically. "That… that we can do something about."
Fang glanced to the soldier incredulously. She can't be serious! She thought. These things are keepin' us from our goal! The more time we spend here, the closer we are to Eden. I wish we would just find Vanille and book it already!
Deciding to direct her sudden rage at the things causing it, the warrior twirled her lance and joined Lightning in battle. As hope stayed back to cast magic against their enemies, Lightning and Fang preferred the up and personal approach. As Fang slashed at the opponents continually, Lightning used her magic to enhance her fighting, using Aquastrike and Sparkstrike to aid in taking down the enemies. After a few battles, the quartet found it to be rather quiet—or as quiet as it can be when you're on the deck of a ship flying who knew how fast with wind roaring in your ears.
"Now that's done." Lightning stated.
"Let's explore a little." Hope suggested, causing his three companions to stare at him oddly. These guys are trying to kill us with guns and killer birds and this boy wants to explore. Lightning sighed and indulged Hope's desire, though she couldn't see anything worth exploring out on the open deck that wouldn't lead them directly into a confrontation. She was right. They had just finished off another Viking and a few more soldiers when suddenly, out of nowhere, a large Kalavinka Striker swooped up and flapped toward them.
"So, Light." Fang called, unsheathing her lance in preparation of a battle. "How ya figure this makes us lucky?"
Lightning walked forward, blade already drawn in one hand while the other rested on her hip. "Because when we kill it, we'll be one step closer to Vanille, how's that?"
"Well, when ya put it that way…" Fang twirled her prized blade, ready to attack. She knows how to make me cooperate. Wonder if that's a good thing or not. Why do I care right now?
The Striker proved to be an uninteresting fight. It was clear that it was a newer one, not nearly trained enough to be a seasoned creature. Fang barely broke a sweat jumping into the air to fight against the creature and Lightning barely even used any of her magic against it. The battle ended quite quickly, much to the relief of Hope.
Fang snorted at his sigh and turned away. Kid needs to build some stamina. If he were to go to Gran Pulse right now, he'd be dead within seconds. Nothing weak survives there. Fang felt a flash of pride at the thought of her home as the Striker fell over the edge of the ship.
With one large Striker down, Hope and Snow groaned to see another soar up and take its place, swooping past the group. Fang and Lightning, used to this level of battle, glared at the enemy, ready to jump into battle once more when it was close enough. However, their opponent seemed to know this and meticulously kept out of reach for a few seconds, irritating the group.
"Tease us, will ya?" Fang shouted.
"Get down here!" Snow commanded, slamming his fists together.
An explosion interrupted them and the quartet turned to find a large column of smoke billowing up from inside the ship. Out of the increasing mass of smoke hopped a very happy-looking chocobo chick. That looks familiar. Lightning thought almost endearingly. The chick was immediately followed by a coughing Vanille. Fang felt her heart leap for joy at the sight of her best friend, but that damned striker just had to make a reappearance.
Hope and Lightning immediately went into action, casting Blizzard, Water and, in Lightning's case, Aquastrike to stagger the predator. Fang cast a glance to Vanille before heading into the battle as well, wanting to get rid of anything that could pose a threat to Vanille. I just got her back. The warrior growled. And I'll be damned if she's taken from me again.
Lightning nodded to Fang and the pair raced forward together, Lightning casting Aquastrike with each blow as Fang slammed her lance against their opponent, both women wanting to get rid of this nuisance and get back to protecting their sisters.
Lightning hung back a moment as Hope cast another Water spell, but suddenly, the Striker flew high and prepared a charge. Lightning gasped and leaped for Hope, pushing him out of the way as the electric charge came down. The pinkette felt it jolt through her entire body and even though she could withstand it now that she was a l'Cie, it still had her staggering for a few moments as she fought through the pain.
Hope switched to casting Cure on Lightning to help ease the pain while Fang went on the defensive, baiting their opponent to give her comrades time. Once Lightning was ready to go again, Hope switched back to casting Water while the soldier joined Fang in more close range attacks. The Aquastrike, though effective, was proving inefficient. Lightning sighed at having to give up close quarters battling and moved back to stand with Hope, casting Watera and Blizzard a few times while Hope cast Water and Fire to throw off the large Striker. Every once in a while, Fang would use her own magic to break through the Striker's defenses so her teammates could attack more effectively.
At last, with a solid blow from Fang, a Blizzard from Hope and a strong Watera from Lightning, the Striker finally conceded defeat and collapsed. Fang took a deep breath as the second striker collapsed before them and turned to her redheaded companion. "Vanille!" she cheered.
"Fang!" Vanille called.
The pair raced at each other, embracing like long-lost sisters, sobbing with the relief of finding each other again. Lightning surveyed them jealously, wishing she and Serah could be like that at that moment, her sister safe in her arms instead of wrapped in solid rock. Lightning was so lost in her wistful thoughts that she barely noticed when Fang knelt to check Vanille's brand, forgetting to turn her head even as the boys coughed awkwardly and made sounds of embarrassment. She finally snapped back to herself as Fang stood again, embracing Vanille once more.
"Fang…" Vanille began. "There… there's something I need to tell you…"
"Makin' me worry like that." The tan woman silenced her. "We'll talk later, missy." Lightning felt another stab of jealousy jolt through her chest and quickly redirected her attention.
"So what's on the agenda?" Sazh inquired of Snow.
Snow grinned and replied, "Topple the Sanctum."
"No, I mean really."
"He's serious." Lightning told the old man. "We're going to give Cocoon back to the people." And force those damn fal'Cie to give me my sister back.
"If we pull this off it'll be a miracle." Hope muttered.
"Well, good thing Lady Luck's on our side." Fang smirked at Lightning, the soldier rolling her eyes in retaliation. Just then, more monsters zoomed overhead, causing Snow, Hope and Sazh to groan in annoyance.
"You know, this is getting really old." Snow grumbled.
"Check this out." Fang called. "A miracle… Gran Pulse style!" She and Vanille shot off away from the group to an open area and Fang ordered, "Vanille, go fish!"
"Got it!" the redhead chirped, waiting for a suitable target. As the bird creatures swooped overhead again, Vanille watched one come exceedingly close and decided on it. Letting out the lines, Vanille watched them hook around the beast as Fang rushed forward.
That thing's a fishing rod? Lightning thought incredulously, watching the two women catch their prey. She fights with a damn fishing rod!
Pulling the line, Vanille called to her companion and Fang easily slammed her lance into the monster, bringing it to the deck. Catching Fang's coo, Lightning felt a familiar heat rush through her body. The soldier blushed slightly and coughed to calm herself as she and the others climbed atop the monster's back with Fang.
I haven't felt that in years. The blonde woman thought in trepidation. But damn her voice and accent are hot when they're husky. Once on the monster, Lightning felt her blush darken as she found herself right beside Fang. She took a deep breath and focused on the task at hand, her blush receding immediately.
Fang wasn't so lucky. Fighting with Lightning had gotten her very excited as the soldier was the only one to show as much prowess as herself. Now that they were closer to one another, Fang could feel Lightning's body heat and the thought of simply touching the pinkette set the warrior aflame. Vanille, sitting on Fang's other side, felt her best friend's temperature and glanced to her in confusion only to find Fang looking forward.
Must be battle lust. The redhead mused. Just like old times!
Jumping from the large bird, Lightning and Fang landed at the same time and rolled to the side as Snow nailed a three point landing, but Hope crashed on top of him. Fang leaped forward and caught Vanille, once more rolling to the side in order to avoid being crushed by Sazh. Fang helped the redhead to her feet and faced the door leading to the Primarch with the others.
"We're still going to have our talk, but let's live through this first, yeah?" she told her calmly.
"Right." Vanille replied softly, dreading the time she would have to talk to her oldest friend.
Lightning glanced to all of her team behind her, making sure they were all prepared before stepping up. Placing a hand against the door and taking a deep breath, Lightning drew on the strength the thought of her sister gave her. Looking at the door in determination, the soldier pushed through, leading the others into the cockpit.
There you are, everyone. I know I added in a lot of gameplay, but I figured that might help some of you visualize it a bit more. I contemplated cutting the chapter into two bits, but I couldn't see anywhere where it would work. Tell me what you think in a review!