{Hello sweet little sister~! Might I join you? I've been the only Final Fantasy XIII character for awhile now so I'd love to post with someone from the same game. PLUS YOU'RE MY SISTER! Yeah I'm nothing like Lightning xD.}

Last night...had been difficult. Lightning had found herself in this world and an attack had happened. Many of the creatures that she had just discovered. The Heartless. Those without hearts who prowled in the darkness. And they attacked those with hearts like herself. Lightning had not been alone during this battle though. She met a young boy named Sora. Sora was the one who had an odd weapon...but it was surprisingly powerful against those creatures. The keyblade it had been called. Sora was a very nice boy. Lightning and him both exchanged some battle tips. He reminded her a bit of Hope. A young boy that she was to protect.

It wasn't just the two of them last night. They had been accompanied by the Goddess, Cosmos. Cosmos was quite powerful with her powers of light. She had been quite hopeful with the light that she had given the two of them. The things that she learned about light proved to be quite helpful for her. She actually believed that light was the way. And she knew not to fall to the darkness. Speaking of the darkness, they were not only fighting against the heartless. Two men of the darkness were also present. One with short silver hair who wore all leather. And the other was quite interesting in his physical appearance. He wore make-up all over his face like he was a clown or jester. And some of this had been present in his personality. Lightning seemed to be doing nothing but getting into constant powers. Perhaps she could use these tips when she got back to Cocoon.

Lightning was in all of these other worlds to prepare for what was to come in Cocoon. She would become stronger also. She not only had to fight but she had to protect several people. First she was getting dragged into protecting Hope Estheim. She had too much on her plate to worry about protecting him when he traveled around with them. But...she felt like she had to do it anyway. Sure she was cold but she wasn't that cold. Then there was Oerba Dia Vanille. She was a very sunny and bright young girl. She was nice and all. Lightning sort of liked having Vanille around. She kind of made Lightning a bit more relaxed with things.

And then, probably the most important was her sister. Serah. Ever since she became the first l'Cie of the government, Lightning felt like she had to protect her sister. Serah meant the world to her. Lightning didn't trust Snow enough to protect Serah. She felt like she was the only one who could. Snow was too goofy and foolish to protect Serah. Lightning on the other hand was not like that. She often expressed her disapproval for the two of them being together. She really thought that Serah deserved better then Snow. Maybe it had to do with love. Something that Lightning had never understood. She never fell in love with another person. She only loved Serah as far as people went. Serah was her sister. What kind of person would she be if she didn't love her sister? She liked Sazh, and the others of course. And she would protect them. But it wasn't love.

Lightning found herself at a bed in an inn. She woke up slowly, sitting up. She didn't remember coming to this inn the night before. She looked around and then noticed her gun-sword leaning against the wall. She must have come in here last night after the fight. It was probably time to get going. She grabbed it and then she started walking along. She headed out of the inn back into the city where she had fought last night. She noticed a large door outside in the city. Perhaps this was the exit. She walked onward and then she pushed the door open. Looking around she saw that it was just more of the city. This part had residents. Lightning really wasn't in much of a mood to deal with people. She was not a people or social person, that was quite obvious. She noticed some shops though. Perhaps it would be a good idea to pick up some items before she went onward with her journey.

Lightning started to walk, not really looking around her all that much. But something caught the corner of her eye. At first...she looked past it. But then she looked back when a thought came to her mind. She looked so surprised to see this person here. What was she doing here? How did she get here? All of these questions were running through her mind. She figured she should stop asking questions. Quickly she ran over toward her sister, staring at her. She knew that it was her and that she wan't hallucinating. She stopped in front of Serah. "Serah...what are you doing here? How did you get here? Where is Snow? Is he not protecting you?" Lightning said. She wanted answers. As usual, she put her happiness and her emotions to the side. She wanted answers first. Its not like she would show all that much emotion about this anyway. That wasn't Lightning.

"How did I get here? What am I doing here?" thoughts ran through Serah's mind as she sat near the Traverse Town bar. So many questions but none to be answered. She wondered if Snow and Lightning were alright. The young strawberry haired girl was feeling rather bored and lonely but more lonely than bored.

The last thing that she remembered was when she was chosen by the fal'Cie. When she woke up, she ended up here in Traverse Town. Its a rather weired place, a place that's not even remotely near Pulse or Cocoon. Not even connected. It was here where the soon to be bride discovered that she was in a completely different world, but that still didnt answer how did she get here. Was it the fal'Cie that brung her here? Was her Focus supposed to be completed here?

After minutes of thinking the young maiden was distracted by some foot steps. She felt that it was an extremely familiar aura so she slowly turned around. She could not believe her eyes, who she saw was none other than her sister, Lightning! "Lightning?" Serah quickly stood up from her chair and quickly jogged towards her sister. She examined her closely as the young girl stopped. "It is you Lightning!" Serah giggled and gave her sister a warm hug. She was so glad that her sister was here.

Lightning was Serah's older sister. Despite changing her name since her parents died it didn't make everything better. Serah tried to tell her but she didn't listen. None the less she loves her sister very much. After sharing a sisterly hug Serah's face turned serious. "I don't know how I got here or what am I doing here sis. Snow is not here with me. I don't know where he is. The last thing that I remember was when I was chosen by the fal...." she paused. Serah forgot that she didn't tell her sister yet about becoming a l'Cie, let alone being engaged to Snow. Was this the right time to tell her? She never had to courage to tell Lightning.

Serah tried to hide her necklace where her engagement ring was being held but most, she was trying to hide the mark of the l'Cie on her upper left arm covered by a bandage. Of course, it was impossible for Lighting not to notice. Finding her self in a tight spot, the young l'Cie felt a dangerous presence. As she was trying to explain, Serah saw a shadowy figure behind her sister. After mere seconds, the darkness disappeared but the feeling of us being watched was still there. We were not alone. There is someone here...

Lightning felt Serah jump up and she give her a hug. Lightning was never one for signs of affection. She always just looked so...awkward when someone was hugging her. Almost like she didn't like it or seem comfortable. It was a bit uncomfortable for her. Lightning was never really one for hugs or anything for that matter. She did love, but she just didn't show it as much as some other people did. Her cold exterior was just so much more dominant then the loving side of her. She did like Serah hugging her. Serah was her sister...and Lightning loved her dearly. She put one arm around her sister during the hug, to return it as best she could. She pat Serah on the back a few times. Her expression softened up slightly. Probably the closest thing to happiness for Lightning. Serah was really the only one that could bring this out of her though. "Serah..." Lightning whispered quietly as she let her sister go. She took the moment to examine her sister over, making sure she was alright.

Lightning noticed a bandage on Serah's arm. Was she hurt? Just as she was about to ask Serah why she had the bandage, she turned her head. She heard something from behind her. Or someone. Lightning was pretty good as far as hearing went. One had to know who was around. An enemy could be lurking after all. Probably one of the many things she picked up during her time in the Cocoon army. She learned many useful battle techniques during her time in it. For a split second, she saw a figure of a man , but then the darkness of night created a disguise for the man. She could no longr make him out. She knew her mind was not playing tricks on her. She HAD heard something and she HAD saw something. Someone was around. Probably planning out an attack. Lightning was ready now. She wasn't going to let anyone hurt Serah.

But for now, she turned her head. Her mind was still paying close attention to whatever she had seen and heard. She was watching from the corner of her eye, but was also listening to Serah as she answered the questions. Serah didn't know how she had gotten here. Lightning didn't feel comfortable with Serah being here. Due to her expierences last night, Lightning knew that this town was dangerous. Especially with those Heartless creatures. She wouldn't let them get near Serah. Not at all. She had to find some way to get Serah back to Cocoon. Maybe if she could get a hold of Snow. He could probably figure out some way to get back home. Lightning had to stay here though. At least for a little while longer. This place and was serving useful in training her. To be stronger for the battle that was going on back home. She was curious about the worlds now. And she wanted to help in defeating these Heartless creatures, for some reason.

Something Serah said managed to catch Lightning's interest. When she started to say something but then stopped. Chosen by the Fal...Fal...Fal'Cie! That must be it. No...this couldn't possibly be happening. Serah...she was now a l'Cie. What had the Fal'Cie done to her. Why had she not been able to protect Serah? She promised that she would after the death of their parents. And yet...she was failing to do so. Why couldn't she do anything right? Why did she have to protect everyone? Serah, Vanille and Hope...they were all her duty. When was she going to protect herself? Or who would try to protect her? She was alone...she had to look out for herself and others. No one was going to save her or protect her from harm. It was just her on her own. She didn't have the luxury of having someone to count on. No...just alone.

"Serah...how long have you been marked by the Fal'Cie. You should have told me. I...I want to protect you from harm Serah. And now it seems like I have failed." Lightning siad and she looked down, more angry with herself then upset. She had not forgotten about whoever was in the corner though. Being a coward. But right now...her thoughts were getting the best of her. Something else disturbed Lightning's train of thought. off in the distance, she heard some sort of crash. Almost as if someone had fallen right out of the sky and crashlanded on this world. Lightning wondered if this had been the doing of the person that she saw and heard prior to this.

After looking behind her sister, Serah didnt seem to find anything but she still bared the feeling that someone was here. The young teen was momentarily distracted by her elder sister's feelings. She placed her hand on her arm where the mark of the l'Cie was hidden in. It was no use, Lightning had everything figured out and she couldn't hide what she already knew. Serah was always worried about her sister also, she just didn't know how much.

The strawberry haired girl looked at Lightning in her eyes. "I wanted to tell you sis but I just couldn't summon up the courage to do so." she said softly. Serah put her hands in a small loose fist and put her head down. She tried as hard as she could not to show Lightning her sadness. "I didn't want to get you worried about me and burden you because I became a l'Cie." Serah started to tear from her eyes and looked up at Lightning. She knew exactly that she was going to blame Snow. "It hasn't been long that I was marked by the fal'Cie." the young maiden wiped her tears from her cheeks and started to talk calmly. She saw how angry Lightning was at herself and she walked up towards her and held her wrist with her right hand . "Everything is going alright Lightning. Its not you're fault." Serah said softly.

A slight smile crossed her face. She couldn't blame her sister for the way she is feeling. She knew the fate of a l'Cie if they didn't complete their Focus in time, completing the Focus wasn't a good reward either. It was her turn now to take care of Lightning. After waiting for a response from Lightning she heard a crash not far from here. The pony tailed girl knew Lightning heard it also but she didn't think it was an enemy attack. A stray dog perhaps?

As she tried to comfort her sister an eerie voice came in darkness. Serah looked around when to see who it was. The shadowy figure that she saw before rised into the light. The very same presence that she had felt before. The teen looked at the figure who was a man. He was rather tall and thin with shaggy black hair. His appearance matched his voice perfectly. With him being shrouded in darkness, Serah didn't have a good impression of him. She stood beside her sister as he started to speak about killing black little rodents. 'Black rodents?' she thought to herself. It must be those shadowy creatures. "Who are you?" Serah asked lightly. "What are the black rodents?" The young maiden had many questions for the man but she had to be careful. In order to move forward she had to know what was going on.

Lightning still couldn't get this around her head. Why had Serah been keeping this secret from her? This was something big. Something she couldn't handle on her own. Lightning knew that Serah needed her. She would always need her older sister...wouldn't she? Lightning wondered about this for a moment. What if...Serah really didn't need her as much as she thought she did? Lightning had made that vow to protect Serah ever since the death of their parents. And she thought that Serah knew that she could come to her if any problems should come up. Or if she was just in any sort of trouble. But why had she been keeping this from her? It was important and Lightnng was almost a bit frustrated with her for not saying. She really could never be truely made at Serah though. It just felt impossible to do so.

Lightning looked to Serah as she spoke. A burden? Far from it. Lightning was used to having things burdening her. She often didn't like them but she knew that she was doing it for a bigger purpose and whole. Plus if it was for Serah...it wasn't really a burden at all. It was more like she had to do it. Serah was her sister and she had to do all in her power to protect her younger sister. Thats why older siblings came first. To protect their younger ones. Serah tried to reassure her by saying that everything would be alright. Lightning just sighed and she shut her eyes for a moment. How could she think that everything was going to be alright...when everything was just becoming so wrong. Nothing seemed to be going right. Back on Pulse or even in these other worlds. It was so hard to just think that everything was going to be alright. But Serah was always optimistic. Looking to the brighter side of things. She admired that in her younger sister. Lightning opened her eyes after thinking some things over and she looked to Serah.

"Serah...you are far from a burden to me. Don't ever thinkt hat you are. I'm here for you. And here to protect you. And even though you said it isn't my fault...I still feel like it is. I couldn't stop them from making you a l'Cie..." Lightning said and she looked down for a moment. She felt disappointment and sadness coming on. Feelings. She tried to shake these away. Feelings just showed her weaker points. And she often would isolate her other emotions so they wouldn't seep through. It probably wasn't the bet thing to do. But she did it anyway. She didn't want Serah to think of her as weak. She wanted to give Serah some reassurance in knowing that her strong older sister was protecting her. But...was she really strong enough to protect Serah? Right now it didn't seem to be going in that direction.

Speaking of feelings, Lightning turned her head. Some guy was nearby. He mentioned something about love. Had he been watching her and Serah for the whole time. Lightning wondered if he was the one that she thought she saw earlier. She kept her intense gaze focused on him. She watched each of his movements carefully. She didn't trust him one bit. The fact that he had been watching her and Serah made her wonder even more about just who he was. And then he started speaking of stength. What made him able to tell her about strength? She looked pretty mad until he mentioned the black rodents. What on earht did he mean? But when he said destroying them made one stronger. Lightning remembered something after he said this. She new what these creatures were. Lightning recalled the name. Heartless. She remembered hearing this from Sora in this same world. He called them black rodents though. Lightning looked at him, almost glaring. She really didn't trust him at all. Even if he was just being friendly. She didn't appreciate him coming over and just going off about these Heartless. It wasn't exactly the ideal conversation.

"The creatures you speak of are the Heartless. The ones who lurk in darkness wishing to be whole..." Lightning said and she looked to him and then back to Serah who asked who he was and what the creatures were. She didn't want to know who he was. She just wanted him to leave. "I'd appreciate it if you would continue along your way and leave my sister and I alone... Lightning added in her cold tone of voice. She didn't express any feelings of fear or emotion for that matter. Just the same old cold tone of emotion and speech. Lightning focused her gaze on him until she heard a voice yelling Serah's name out. She turned her head looking to see Snow rushing toward them.

Lightning really didn't like Snow all that much but she was glad to have someone here that she knew. In case they should fight this guy, she would have Snow to help out as well. Lightning couldn't help but wonder why he was so pleased to see Serah though. She looked to Snow not bothering to give him a greeting. When Snow mentioned if Serah told her about them, Lightning grew intrigued. Serah was keeping another secret from her? And something that Snow knew about? She was slightly offended that Serah might have told Snow over her own sister. She looked over to Serah and then back at Snow. "Tell me what? I'm not in the mood to play games so just tell me..." Lightning said and she focused on the two of them. She heard Snow call out to the other man and then something unexpected happened. He fell to the ground. Lightning went on one knee looking at him.

"Snow...are you alright?" Lightning said thoug not much worry was expressed in her tone.