AN: I really want to play this game! A crossover game with a legit storyline would be so freaking cool! As with all my other fanfics, these are AU, people. So don't hate if I changed some details, lols. The story will follow a large majority of the storyline, but there are some definite changes. I'm actually watching a rather detailed walk-through version online, so apologies for mistakes, as I haven't had the good fortune to have a PS3 or an XBox myself.

Disclaimer: If I was, then I'd be one rich sonuva-

Begin!

"Fal'Cie, the greater deities that powers all the world, the protectors, the destroyers, the elder brothers and sisters of the human race. They choose what happens in the lives of humans, they mold, manipulate, and change the fates of man. L'Cie, former humans granted a brand that gives the ability to use magic without a mana-drive system. They are not human. They are no longer human once they receive that brand. A target's a target. They are given a focus, if they complete it, they turn to crystal and gain eternal life, but should they fail, and the time granted by the brand runs out, a L'Cie turned into a Cie'th. A monster of a different name and form. Target's a target."

A blond child read an inscription in stone as he sat in the darkness of an unlit area, a ball of fire in his hands, dancing over his fingers and giving the boy warmth.

"Pulse L'Cie are given foci that relate to the destruction of Cocoon. A Sanctum L'Cie are generally charged with the focus to protect Cocoon. I am a target, a Pulse L'Cie with little time left. My brand is due to give out soon, the eye already forming... My focus... is the destruction of both Pulse and Cocoon, so that these Fal'Cie may awaken some sleeping god. They don't care about us, so I will become Cie'th with the satisfaction of knowing that I find meaning, even in their victory. My brother is a Cocoon L'Cie and he has been charged the same. I don't understand. If you're reading this, then know this. Fal'Cie, L'Cie, Cie'th. All-" the fire in his hands flickered out, "Ah... my mana-drive ran out... Now I have to wait to find out... What is this going on about? Geez... Creepy stuff."

He shrugged and stood up before walking over to his right and pressing a dimly-glowing, blue button. A portion of the wall lit up, revealing a doorway that opened up with a mechanical hiss and the boy walked through, metal shutting behind, lights falling back to that one button.

A dim, dark blue.

It was a vent system, leading into PSICOM, Public Safety and Intelligence Command, and the boy dropped down into the armory landing next to a sleeping guard in the normal full black armor of a gurnt, with neon yellow buff-mana running through it. The boy looked up through a white porcelain mask, to make sure the man wasn't awake.

Letting a small sigh of relief, the boy pulled a somewhat large rectangular object out of a shoulder sack, before changing the mana-batteries and picking up another and filling it up. He then stuffed some more into his pockets and bag. For later, he decided, because things may happen on the way out if he was unlucky. Plus a small pistol that barely fit into his hand.

Not like the guard was gonna miss it anyways.

In ten seconds, it was almost as if the boy was never there.

A few miles from the Sactum, a boy crawled out of a metal pipe that had been split open for a long time, judging by the rust.

"The slums of Linak. Fifteen minute ride to Bohdum by the eight hundred hour train... Gotta sell these mana-drives, first. Love the black market here in Linak." the boy grinned under his mask before taking it off and putting it into his shoulder sack.

A tanned and whiskered face revealed a cocky grin as a twelve year old dashed toward a shady building and came out, with a larger grin, shoulder sack filled with gil to the brim, threatening to burst.

"Too easy. Didn't even have to sell the second."

The boy skipped off toward a train station that was so sterile and clean that it seemed out of place in the stark, dark, and monotonous grey of the Linak slums. The train cut through Upper Linak, a place of festivity, lights, and sin. The gambling central of Cocoon. Where anything and everything illegal happened, meaning nobody would question how a twelve year old would come in with a military grade, hyper compressed, class two mana-drive system.

Besides, it wasn't as if PSICOM was using it right now anyways.

The old man was right, PSICOM was a bunch of rookie soldiers with extra training and pricier toys. Pricier toys that went boom. Big boom.

So much fun.

And even though it wasn't the Aeora Mana-Drive, as he really liked that branch of magic, he was more than happy to keep the Cura Mana-Drive. Accidents happen in his line of work.

Lucky for him that Bodhum was a fairly calm place when it wasn't the Summer Solstice Fireworks Festival. Not to say that it wasn't a popular tourist spot, since it offered the most beautiful beach in all of Cocoon. Lebreau's dad was always busy with his seaside inn/bar/café every day. Which was good for the girl, since it kept her kleptomaniac hands busy.

Yes, he trained her well.

He got a small percentage for teaching her, so better for him.

Arriving at the Bohdum station, Naruto walked off quickly, strapping the Mana-Drive to his forearm and going at a light jog toward the exit, weaving between the crowd of people, fingers flashing from pockets on occasion. The station was filled with people, nobody was going to be looking after their wallets twenty four seven.

"You're late."

The blond froze before turning around slowly.

"Ha, ha. Hi, Cla-"

"It's Lightning now, remember? Idiot."

"Aww, come on. I did say that I'd be later than normal."

"Two hours?"

"There was something interesting."

The pink haired girl sighed as she stopped leaning on the metal entrance to the train station. She thoughtlessly brushed a strand of hair out of her face, arm brushing over the sleeveless white dress-shirt of her school uniform, a loose red tie around her collar, and a pleated red and white plaid skirt fluttered in a light breeze.

"Oh? Do tell."

"Um… nevermind. It's nothing."

Lightning glared at the blond boy, her eyes staring into him.

"Come on. It wouldn't interest you at all. Boring stuff. Just an inscription about Fal'Cie and L'Cie. We've all heard the legends. We have more important things to do, Lightning-chan. It's Serah's birthday today! Let's go! I bet you Snow's distracted her enough."

He walked off as she followed, glare not lessening.

"I don't like him."

"Who, Snow? He's fine. Unless you got a thing against us orphans all of a sudden."

Her parents died about a year ago, leaving the Farron sisters orphans. They were well off enough so that should the girls live moderately, they could both get through school with money to spare and get respectable jobs. Lightning started shutting herself off around then and Naruto had taken it upon himself so that the girl wouldn't completely cut her emotions off, even though he could not prevent her from changing her name.

"No… it isn't that. Sorry."

"Don't apologize. We're all orphans right now whether we like it or not. At least you can still get through school unlike the rest of us. We were left with nothing, so you gotta be thankful for what you got."

She shrugged before walking faster to be next to the blond.

"I'm not even sure about school anymore. I hate that you keep doing this for us so that we can stay afloat. I don't even want to think about what kind of trouble you're getting into so that you can get us this kind of money."

"Then don't." the blond shrugged, rubbing the bottom of his nose with the flat of a finger. "It'll probably save you a lot of headache."

The two walked in silence after that and arrived at the beach before walking down to a large building by the beach: Whitecap Cup. There was a small bonfire on the beach, about six kids talking and laughing and chasing each other around the fire.

Snow Villiers and the thieving blond were close friends, having lived on the streets for the large portion of their lives. Snow wore a black bandanna that was supposed to have belonged to his mother and a long grey coat with sleeves too long for his arms. He seemed to take to taking care of Serah very well however, as he carried her on his shoulders and was running around, looking tired but happy.

Lightning quickly rushed over to reprimand him for doing such a thing so close to fire, of all things.

Some of the other orphans Maquis, Yuj, and Gadot were trying to act out a scene about the last Pulse and Cocoon war, to entertain Serah, although the three quickly broke out into a little brawl of sorts. Gadot, the largest and tallest of the three, quickly over powered the smaller blond and blunette, giving them the equivalent of sand-swirlies.

The thieving blond smiled. Life was good.

L'Cie, Fal'Cie, Cie'th... All are cursed... All must end... Lead me to Omega...

"Naruto... Naruto, wake up, you bum!"

"Argha..."

"Sis, don't be so mean."

"Mean? This is training, Serah. Look, he's getting up already."

"Shut up... my head hurts."

A lightly toned leg kicked me out of bed, and I tumbled into the carpeted ground.

"Dammit, Light-chan. That hurt."

"Whatever. We have to get to the Academy now. You and I are joining the military."

Now that got me up.

"Say wha?"

"Onee-chan! You were serious about that?" Serah cried out, dainty hands rising to her lips. "That's dangerous! You'll be hurt!"

Lightning turned to her, hands on jean-clad hips, a huff had a light rippling effect on the light grey sweater that she wore, "Of course."

"Yeah." I agreed jokingly, "Light-chan doesn't know how to joke."

"Shut up, you idiot!"

It must have pissed her off something fierce for her to kick me as hard as she did.

Lucky for me, Serah had breakfast ready, although she slyly told me that Light-chan did help her prepare the food this morning. It was nice considering that most of the time I would be the one that had to do the cooking. Something about working for my room and board.

I think she just likes my cooking.

Light-chan practically dragged me off to go to the Academy as we boarded the train to their training facility near Bodhum. Just a ten minute ride, as the train was state-of-the-art, even though it was made for civilian usage.

The Academy was impressive enough, one of six that existed on Cocoon, a large dome building with metal spires that stuck out at points and a tall tower in the very center, looking all like a blazing metal sun.

The minimum age requirement to apply for soldier training was the age of thirteen. I turned thirteen not too long ago, my own birthday being just a few weeks after Serah's. According to Light-chan, the average trainee graduated in three or four years, and should we graduate, we'd be made members of the military for whatever division that we felt best fit us.

She wanted Bodhum Guardian Corps, so she could be able to support her sister's future alongside being close to home. I suppose that I would just follow. Not like I had any intention to leave the two anyways.

Still, what would Snow think?

Ah, whatever. Not worth getting into a headache about it.

But... that inscripted stone at PSICOM... I've never been able to get it out of my head since then. The Omega? What the heck was that?...

And my parents... I was told my parents had been important people in PSICOM by the old man before he died...

Gah... a headache, just like I predicted.

We were admitted easily enough, and giving training uniforms consisting of some tough cloth dyed grey and black to show we were currently less than grunts.

Less than the bottom of the barrel?

Joy.

First step: Physical Assessments.

A group of almost a few hundred teens, most looking as if they obviously would not make the cut, arrived at a large obstacle course of hurdles, monkey ladders, climbing rope, the works. An officer called out in a loud voice, telling us how we all had three tries to get through the obstacle course, and would all be going about a dozen at a time for practicality purposes. Machines at the beginning and at the end would time us and analyze how many times we messed up during the course itself.

I don't know about the rest of the group, but everything was easy.

Hey, I sneak into the PSICOM base by Linak. I think I can get through a measly obstacle course.

Lighting did very well too, but still had to go twice because the machines decided that her time wasn't good enough as she could not seem to walk over the muddy beam balance all too well.

Still, she was better than average, as it took most people all three tries to pass, cutting down the group into about a fourth of what it once was. Then we all just moved onto to strength and speed tests through sprints and weight lifting. I'll admit, I was actually surprised how strong Light-chan was. I knew that she packed a mean kick with her smooth, long legs, but, er...

Ignoring that.

Yeah... she was pretty strong and fast.

Everybody noticed my freakish strength though. I've always been strong, being able to lift things that people wouldn't expect from my lean build. Some blessing of Eden or the other I've been told. Apparently my natural strength was not unlike those of a l'Cie. One of the officers even said that it may have been fate that I came there to join the military. That last man was a lieutenant in the Bodhum Guardian Corps. Amo-something. He seemed to look forward to the possibility of us graduating and would help us eventually leave the Academy earlier than most.

It was pretty monotonous for the next few weeks, nothing but physical training and light combat training, forcing trainees to fight with blunted sword-sticks and aim training with a normal assault rifle.

I personally think that whatever redeemable and impressive aspects of me of me that existed in the eyes of my superiors died with the gun training.

I could not aim for my life.

Every time that I shot that damn thing, it kept landing to the right of the bulls eye from a few inches to a few feet, as if it was gravitating to the right as the bullets shot out. Sure, I got points for consistency, but my aim still sucked.

Light-chan really liked to rub my face in about that.

Swordplay I could do, naturally talented, they officers said. I could go head to head with some of the best instructors and do so when outnumbered by my peers. With a blade I just felt at ease, you know? It didn't matter if it was blunt, it was a sword nonetheless.

Some kid from a rich family named Uchiha Sasuke came close, but it annoyed the bastard to hell that he couldn't compare to my awesomeness. He too had a smugness about him when he realized that he was a much better shot than I was. The guy was better suited for a gun, for sure.

Still, as awesome as I was with a blade, the normal Guardian Corps soldier used gunblades so that they could be involved in both long and close range combat. I wasn't quite sure what I should do.

Near three months later, we got our hands on real weapons, weapons that we would live by and use for the rest of our military careers. It was important to be real familiar with a weapon so that no rookie in the field used a weapon that they were half proficient in. It wasn't practical or safe. Especially since there was no currently eminent threat from Pulse.

"Line up and pick a weapon!" a teacher/officer called out, "Make your decision wisely! If you choose your weapon poorly, you will suffer in the long run. Choose something that is fitting of your abilities. This is one of the few moments that we will trust your judgement."

Great.

Because I really needed pressure.

Light-chan dragged me into the armory, walking past rows of different guns, rifles, staffs, swords, until we reached the gunblade portion.

The gunblade is notoriously tricky and is known for its difficulty and long mastery time. It took years of training just to be able to use it proficiently. We had that kind of time. Still, most gunblade users were more than proficient in sword play and gun usage. The former I had in spades. The latter is what I missed.

Lightning was always an ambitious and driven girl. I was driven too, but mostly satisfied with what I had. She didn't even think before grabbing the Blazefire Saber, a gunblade meant to be used by only the best gunblade users. For the elite.

Typical Lightning.

That annoying bastard Sauke was there too, picking out a newer and slightly less known model known as the Chidori. He was a cold guy, and lacked personality, but he wasn't all to bad I supposed. I just really didn't like the way he eyed me and Light-chan sometimes. Like as if I was some sort of tool for measuring against and her for something that I couldn't feel angry for.

All the guy wanted was to get stronger. He had no further goal.

Ain't that pathetic?

As much as Light-chan tried to convince me to get a gunblade like she did in her own, aloof and slightly clumsy way, I really couldn't be all to sure if I should. Most weapons felt way to light for me because of my unnatural strength and even with he normally heavy gunblades, it just wasn't enough.

It was at that moment when I was trying to find a way to explain that I didn't really want a gunblade that I was pulled away from one of the overseers of the academy, a man named Wedge had thought me interesting, with my strength and all. He had a few grunts literally lift me up and carry me out to the second floor of the armory to his office. It was luck that made this happen really. The man got bored easily, as far as I could tell, and had his friend Biggs, who suffered a similar fate, make a gunblade of much larger than normal proportions, although the grip was of normal width, the handle simply being much longer.

Biggs was a weapons maker. Plain and simple, and the weapon he made for me really did suit his namesake. In blade mode at full extension, the blade was longer than my body was then, reaching a full six and a quarter feet, shaped like a large rectangular blade. The hilt itself was long as well, being a good two and a half feet in length and coming off like the hilt of a regular sword. In its gun, or cannon, the three of us decided was a better term, the blade shot in making the weapon seem like a gun-axe rather than a gunblade.

And the bullets?

I got to fire it into a solid metal cube at least three feet wide. The gun was big enough so that it had a miniature mana-drive system inside it. Yeah, that's right. Who has an awesome weapon? I do.

Awesome enough to fire magic railgun bullets that made a giant hole through the damn chunk o'steel... and through about half the Academy's inner walls... lucky nobody was hurt, eh?

Although it did get me into some trouble seeing as how soldiers burst into the office thinking that we were under attack. They all froze when the saw the three of us laughing like madmen at the destruction made by a single bullet. It appeared that Biggs had forgotten to put a limiter on the weapon, meaning I was going to learn how to control the strength of my bullets.

Only problem was I had to hold a modded trigger, which was really a large button on the top of the hilt/grip of the gunblade to fire, forcing me to squeeze my entire hand to fire the thing. Still, screw my aim. I can hit an inch right of bulls eye all the time if my bullets have a magically piercing radius of a foot, I'm gonna hit and I'm gonna pown.

So Lightning did kind of win in the end, and I paid for dinner that night.

Why do I always make sucker bets?

We graduated in about two and a half years, meaning that we could not have to worry about leaving Bodhum for too long for overnight training and the like. Light-chan and I hated those days when we left Serah at home. Usually we could have Lebreau take her in for the night, but we never felt comfortable doing so.

Light's parents trusted her to look after Serah, and me as an extension since they took me off the streets when the old man died. I owe them a lot. I can't just neglect that.

I also, well, really liked Lighting for the longest time and see Serah like a little sister... so I guess that also helped in me staying with the two for so long.

Although when Snow started showing that he was attracted to Serah, I wasn't sure what to think, really. We're sixteen/seventeen and shes fourteen now. Wasn't too sure if that's cool at the current moment. Especially since Lightning didn't seem to like Snow all that much.

But here is where our problem formed.

This is where we first walked separate paths.

"What do you mean you're going to go join PSICOM? I thought that we agreed that we were going to join the Bodhum Security Corps."

"No, that's what you wanted. I really want to go with you. I really do. But... I donno. I have to do this."

"Why?"

I sighed.

"I need to find something. My parents were both in PSICOM and I wanted to avoid the military for that reason, because it was a painful topic. But I didn't know anything about their death until a month ago... something happened in their time in PSICOM during the Purge fifteen years ago and I need to figure out what and why. They died during that Purge, even though the government stated that it was perfectly peaceful. Humane. I don't buy that crap. Something happened..." I could recall the inscription in the stone from three years ago. "Something doesn't add up."

I was going to get to the bottom of that mess, but there was no way I was going to drag Lightning into this, or any other precious person of mine. I told myself that if I had to shut my heart away to protect her, I would do it.

"I just have to know. Ever since I got to the Academy, it's been eating away at me, no matter how much I tried to ignore it. PSICOM holds all the intel, Guardian Corps data would only get me so far. I refuse to let an opportunity like this go."

She stared at me with her strong aqua eyes, glaring into my own azure blue.

"What about Serah? Or that idiot Snow and his group of amateur monster hunters, huh? What... what about me?"

"Right now, this takes priority... Even over you."

Fal'Cie, that hurt to say.

"Fine... Go then, to your stupid PSICOM. See if I care."

She turned to leave, leaving me by the docks of Bodhum, her new green metal pauldron with a lone yellow stripe marking her as a first class private, her white sleeveless overcoat new and stiff over her back.

"L-Light-ch-"

"Don't! I... I don't want to see you again."

Her words were like a bullet through my heart from her Blazefire Saber.

I guess... that nothing ever goes as planned.

I told myself that it was for the best, but pain didn't leave me.

I look back on that day, even now, wondering...

What if I had joined the Corps like she had.

Would we have gotten together anyways? Or would I have never told her about my feelings, and she never telling me about hers, in fear of risking our very important friendship? Even though now that friendship was broken, likely to never be fixed?

I don't know.

But maybe it was for the best.

I didn't go back to the Farron house that day, not even to pick up my stuff. Just the clothes on my back, my gunblade, the King Saul, slung in a holster across my back, and letters of goodbye and apology to all of the friends I had made.

Snow and his friends in NORA, an amateur monster hunting group to protect the people of Bodhum in their own way each got their own letters, Serah got one as well, Wedge and Biggs had one each as well, and they secretly agreed to slip some 'failed' prototype weapons to NORA for a favor.

For Lightning... I left a little present on top of her bed. She could try to keep me out of her room all she wanted, I was number one in trap-making and stealth in the Academy. She wasn't going to keep me out if I really wanted to get in. In that present was a small scrapbook that I had been making over the years since I've been with her and Serah. Wrapped in a dark orange-red cape.

Target's a target. I fight blind, but I will protect Cocoon with my life, for I am a Guardian.

It's ten days, I think. Ten days until the Summer Solstice.

It's been... almost three years since he left.

I still regret that day. Maybe if I had been more honest about my feelings, he wouldn't have left.

Who am I kidding? That blond idiot had the stubbornness of an old chocobo.

Still. Would it kill him to write?

...I couldn't have hurt him so much that he didn't want to even think about me, right?

I sighed as I leaned back further into the bath, my hair wrapped in a towel to keep it out of the water. I missed him. I hated him.

Maybe I... l-liked him?

Argh! Annoying blond! All blonds are so annoying!

His absence affected everybody more than predicted by Naruto himself, I think.

That idiot Snow became a bit more like our missing friend, becoming more loud and more brash. The guy had some sort of insane idea in his head that he was a hero. Channelling Naruto in his childhood far as I could tell. The rest of his group, NORA, was well known to Bodhum, because they managed to get their hands on military grade gear. Nobody knows how, but they just did. Naruto probably had something to do with it. Crazy Captain Wedge and his weapon designing friend Biggs.

Serah had cried as much as I did that day, if not more. Naruto was really like a brother and she had worked up a big dinner to say goodbye. The bastard didn't even come to pick up his things, although I'm shamed to admit it was probably my fault. They were still there in his room, Serah and I just go in there to clean out the dust a little. We keep things as they were for the most part though. Sometimes its as if he never left.

I stopped crying after that day, though.

Tears wouldn't bring him back.

Ten days later, hope rose in my chest.

It was during the midst of the annual fireworks, the ones that are supposed to grant wishes.

I know it was childish and unprofessional of me, but I wished that I could see him again. Be able to talk to him, like our childish argument never happened. At the very least I wanted the opportunity to apologize.

"Isn't that childish of you, Sargent? Wishing on fireworks, eh? Never took you for a romantic."

"Lieutenant Amodar, sir!"

"At ease, at ease. We're here to relax. I hear that you're taking the day off tomorrow."

"Sir, yes sir." I said, trying to make polite, meaningful conversation without screwing over my job. Amodar was known to be kind, yet strict. "My sister insisted on it, sir. It's my birthday tomorrow, you see..."

"Mmm. Good, good. You should take the rest of the week off while you're at it. You've got reason to celebrate. I'm going to turn in that letter of recommendation for your promotion in tomorrow. Think of it as my birthday gift, eh? You're past due for a promotion, anyways."

"Sir! Thank you, sir."

"Calm down," the large man said, laughing merrily, his pauldrons with twin red stripes, shaking in mirth. "You need to learn to wind down when you're not on duty."

"Sorry, sir."

Amodar laughed again before being entranced himself at the fireworks, giving large exclamations and cries of joy.

However, I was more distracted by uniformed PSICOM troops lurking around.

"PSICOM?..."

Had my wish... come true?

"Ah, about that. PSICOM found something in the Pulse Vestige. They aren't sure what it is, but they don't want the GC on their toes, so we're being told to stand down. It's their show. Don't annoy them."

"I had... a friend that entered PSICOM to learn more about his parents..."

"Hmm? That Naruto kid from the Academy, eh? Didn't the boy have a huge a crush on you?"

I hid the blush that rose to my cheeks the best I could, a hand, one hand grasping my cape in remembrance.

"Y-yes, him. I was wish- I mean, wondering, er... do you know if he's in this group of PSICOM?"

"Hm? You don't know? That Naruto kid already made Major. Talented kid that one. Working with some other guy named Sasuke Uchiha, who graduated a year after you two. Heard that it was difficult for him to pass the mental stability test, but the boy's a Captain now, so I'm presuming that something changed the guy. Geez. You youngsters rise fast in the ranks nowdays. I feel older than ever."

"Please, sir. Do you know if Naruto is in charge of the operation? It has something to do with that energy plant six days ago, I know that. But, do you know who's at the head of the operation?"

"Sorry. No hair nor hide of the name of the leader of the operation. Sorry, Lightning."

"No." I shook my head. "It's alright. I suppose that these fireworks... are nothing more than fireworks after all."

"Eh? Come on, now. Believe a little, eh? You don't trust in true love and all that?"

He shook his head and I felt almost like a child again. Lieutenant Amodar was always a powerful figure from the beginning.

I wasn't too surprised at the information I had recieved, but I couldn't help feel... dissapointed.

"Your birthday is tomorrow, eh? Head home soon. Have a good day tomorrow."

Oh how far from the truth he was.

The next day, my sister Serah, told me that she was a L'Cie and was going to marry Snow.

I thought it was a joke.

It wasn't.

That day they found there was a Pulse Fal'Cie in the Vestige by Bodhum and was going to Purge the entire city. Thinking about the Purge brought up Naruto.

Would he be a part of it? To purge the city he once called home?

It's been a day after my birthday, two days after the festival, and thirteen days when all this sudden reminiscing began...

Doesn't matter now, I guess.

The Fal'Cie took Serah. I'm going to get her back.

I armed up, slinging my Blazefire into it's hanging holster, Grav-con Unit at the ready.

I was gonna get Purged.

It was the only way I was going to be able to get to Serah, and I was going to take it.

I'm a Hero... and a Hero doesn't need to make a plan!

Yeah, I'm reckless, I get that a lot.

Having untrained volunteers try and fight professional soldiers with real training and bigger guns and weapons was probably a bad idea.

My hands shook. One of them, some kid's mother had saved my sorry ass when I screwed up tyring to look cool and heroic. But I had hoped that things would work out in the end.

It didn't.

She died telling me to take some guy home, her hand slipping from mine, her body lost somewhere in the lake below us.

Who? Her son? Husband? Brother? Nephew?

Where?

How?...

I shook my head. What's done is done and I can't change it.

I wondered what Lightning was doing. If she was even trying to do anything to save her own sister, the one that her parents asked her to protect on their deathbed. I wasn't sure anymore. Naruto's absence and her becoming a soldier had made her cold and somewhat unfeeling and aloof at times.

So was Naruto, a soldier I mean, and I hear he's some big-shot in the PSICOM division now.

I really hoped that he hadn't grown so low that he would come back and Purge his own hometown.

Or at least have lost his humanity like the rest of PSICOM seemed to have.

It didn't matter now. I was finally in the Pulse vestige, I had to find the Fal'Cie and get it too free Serah, or at least tell us what the heck her focus was.

Or I was gonna die trying.

"Serah! Your hero's coming to save you, baby!"

L'Cie, Fal'Cie, Cie'th... All are cursed... All must end... Lead me to Omega...

"Anima, huh? The Fal'Cie from Pulse... how dare you touch my precious people..."

"Hey, dead-last. Don't lose your head. Remember our mission."

"I know, Sasuke-teme. Lighten up... but this bastard is still going to pay for touching Serah."

I slung King Saul from its holster strapped across my back. Another holster was crossed under it, holding another gunblade of equal size.

"Let's help these poor kiddies kill this Fal'Cie bastard."

"Yes, sir, Mr. Major, sir."

"Don't mock me." I growled as I fired, a powerful blast shooting from my heavily modded gunblade, the magic bullet shattering a metal drill-arm of the Fal'Cie Anima, spraying the powerful creature with shrapnel from its own arm.

A group of five people turned quickly to face us, surprise on their face as the arm about to crush an older black man and a young silver haired teen in two.

Sasuke in his special blue and black uniform with silver trim pulled out his Chidori, the blue and silver gunblade shifting into its melee form as he dashed at Anima, Lightning magic coating the blade and the Uchiha swung, forming a large crack in the Fal'Cie's crystal heart.

I forced myself to tear my eyes away from Lightning's mature figure and shocked eyes as I too charged to meet Anima head on, my blade stopping the remaining arm from nailing her and Snow.

"What the hell are civilians and a GC doing here?" I yelled in frustration, the arm threatening to topple me back into my childhood friends. "If you're gonna be dead weight, run!"

"Screw that!" Snow yelled back, "You PSICOM are half the reason we're here!"

A burst of mana from King Saul propelled the arm back before Sasuke began hacking away at it with his Chidori.

"This is PSICOM jurisdiction!" I argued back, trying to keep my facade as an uncaring PSICOM officer from under my helmet. "That puts you under my authority so help me put this thing down! Looked like that was what you were trying to, anyways."

I turned to the Fal'Cie again, seeing the crystal beginning to reform as it charged up mana.

"Shit! Aereoga!"

A burst of terrific wind exploded from my body trying to uproot the crystal and the metal arms from the Fal'Cie's body.

"It's open! Attack!" I cried and bullets rained down, sharp blades struck, fists pounded, and I even saw a boomerang and whip-like weapons rain metallic hell onto the Fal'Cie.

Then it exploded in a bright light, our world turning into darkness as tendrils of iron and steel lashed out, holding us in the empty space as Anima seemed to evolve into a fierce looking warrior in black armor, a gauss green glow surrounding it.

Images flashed through our minds and more tendrils lashed out, stabbing into all of us, yet doing no damage.

I groaned in pain as magic was pumped into me, as it did with all the others.

Nobody would leave without a L'Cie brand.

We lost consciousness one by one as we seemed to fall in the darkness as unseen explosions seemed to shake the very air around us. Seeing my Lightning fall next to me, eyes shut and body unmoving, I grabbed her and held her to me, poising my body to take whatever damage would be inflicted from our falling.

I pulled out all the mana I could from my L'Cie brand, forcing it in front of all of us who were falling, the raw mana acting like a giant Grav-con unit.

I only hoped that it was enough as my own consciousness ebbed from my mind, my vision blurring.

"I'm not leaving this time, Light-chan. I'll protect you..."

End

So tell me what you think! I've been debating about putting this online for a while now, but I wasn't very sure if I should. I decided, why the hell not. It can be a oneshot if I don't feel like continuing it or let somebody else take over or something, I guess.

Review!

With love,

KSLCross