Lightning x Hope: Final Fantasy XIII- You are My Hope

Chapter 1: Claire Farron

Lightning.

That was the legendary moniker of Claire Farron. The woman who saved the world three times already.

With her hands she destroyed and rebuilt the world, together with her friends. She destroyed god-like beings, monsters of immeasurable strength and machinations of unbelievable power.

However, that was no longer the norm of the world.

This is not Cocoon or Gran Pulse. This was Earth. There were no more battles for the being known as Lightning to partake in. And therefore, no more need of Lightning.

This world is not a world for Lightning. This was Claire's world. Claire Farron's world.

Claire Farron was 25. Well, counting the actual years shes been alive, shed probably be around.. half a thousand years old. However, reborn in this world, she was 25.

After the final battle with Bhunivelze, the world was reborn, and the souls Lightning had saved from the old world, were reborn into the new day. Including Lightning, of course.

"Claire." Certainly a less impact-ful name than "Lightning". But it certainly worked better on a work resume.

It was a Saturday afternoon, so she decided to go relax down in the balcony of her beach house. Sitting down and drinking a cup of Serah's tea ; enjoying the warm sun and breeze. Lightning was working as a government official in the military and was in charge of public safety management; a job that paid incredibly well. Out of consideration for her sister, she decided to buy a house out near the sea, similar to their home in Bodhum.

Claire felt a certain bittersweet feeling from once being the Goddess of Death, and returning to the lifestyle of a civilian. It wasnt that she missed the sensation of life or death combat, but her own new found powerlessness.

It was a difficult transition to go from worrying about the world, to worrying about the monthly rent and food. Worrying about...

"Seems like you have a lot on your mind, Light."

A man with glistening white hair and tall stature spook softly.

It was Hope.

Hope was one of the many allies Lightning made at the beginning of her journeys. Like her, he was branded a Pulse L'Cie. Back then, he was a child; afraid, weak... But he has grown into a mature, intelligent young adult.


Lightning blushed. Something she and Hope immediately picked up on. After all, it wasn't common for Lightning to show any deep emotions, much less embarrassment. Of course, she wasn't Lightning the soldier anymore, she was Claire Farron.


"Hope. Sit down."

Hope complied and took a chair, sitting face to face with Lightning. As he got comfy, he began to speak:

"I'm always impressed by this house, Light. Honestly, I imagined you to be the type who was more at home with solitary living quarters."

Lightning was slightly offended despite begrudgingly knowing that Hope was right.

"Its mostly for Serah."

"Oh."

Lightning got up from her chair and made her way to the edge of the balcony, to face the ocean.

"Hope. What should I be doing now?"

Hope was surprised. He always say Lightning rushing forward without a single hesitation. Even so, he was curious.


"What do you mean?"


"Life is peaceful now. We saved the world. We don't need to worry about fighting and surviving anymore. We can live in peace." Lightning was hesistant to say all this to Hope. Its not like Hope had all the answers.

"Well.. theres many things we can do, Light. We can go for a walk through the town, we can go try all sorts of foods, we can relax and sleep. We can play games, we can spend time with our families. Vaniele has been dying to get us all out sometime, you know."

"Yeah", Lightning said with a smile.


"I don't know, Hope. I mean... I'm happy that the world is safe now, but is it enough?" Is there more for me to do?"


"Light."

Hope walked over to her and hugged her from behind, much to Lightning's embarrassment. Normally, she would have shaken him off (had he been Snow, kicked him off).. but today.. today it felt kind of good to be comforted.

It was almost funny. Lightning had met Hope as a young boy. But with all thats happened, in this world, Lightning was younger than Hope. At one point, Hope had looked up to her. And now, he was big enough to princess lift her with ease.


"Hehe. Are you trying to console me now? Don't get carried away, kid." Lightning smiled.


"Uwah! S-Sorry!" Hope jumped back. He had moved unconsciously, not even realizing he just put his arms around the world's strongest being... well, former strongest being.

Even so, Lightning suddenly tugged on Hopes arms, signalling him to keep holding her. Which sent his heart racing uncontrollably.. for some reason.


"It's alright, Hope. Keep doing that. Just a bit longer."


"Light?"











"Call me "Claire"."

To be continued in Chapter 2