The Aftermath: A Final Fantasy Story

Chapter 1: With a New World comes New Friends

(Lightning P.O.V)

Things have changed alot after a few weeks, New Bodhum is brighter than ever, we even built a compund for all the warriors to train and thrive. I was sitting in Hope's new lab while he and his new assistant Yeul were working on a new invention, Yeul became Hope's new assistant when she demonstrated her knack for knowing the materials in the lab. "So what's you're invention?" I asked the young scientist/inventor "It's a recon scanner, since you want to leave and explore the new world I figured this might help you out, it can detect life forces nearby and far away. So it can warn you when you're about to be attacked" Hope summerized "So how's Yeul liking her new position?" I asked "She's still adjusting but I believe she'll get the hang of it" Hope said as Yeul walked in with a cart "Here Hope, all the transition metals you asked for" she said. I was shocked to hear a girl as young as Yeul know her elements, but then again Hope is only 24 and is the smartest guy in the compound. We suddenly heard a door opening and Snow walked in looking glum and his pendant was missing, usually he's the happiest guy around "Why are you so down?" I asked, Hope just turned away, he had a bad taste in his mouth for the NORA leader then and he still does now "Serah and I broke up a week ago, I couldn't hold it in anymore" he suddenly said sitting down on Hope's workbench.

I was completely dumbfounded "What happened, Why didn't you tell me?" I asked "Serah said I was getting distant, and to be honest we both were more distant with each other after coming to the new world, it was like we were different people since we first got engaged, NORA and I went on missions all the time and Serah helped that kid hunt and find his way, to be honest she seemed more happy, mainly because she said I was getting a little overprotective of her, even when I locked her in the basement to protect her that one time, so in order to keep my promise to you Lightning we had to end it, I didn't tell you so you wouldn't be disappointed" Snow explained. Hope and I felt bad for him but Yeul looked confused "By kid I assume you mean Noel" she asked "Yeah, how did you know?" Snow asked the former seeress "Noel's a hunter, and he's very good at it, and Serah would often help him out on his trip during their journey through time, and Noel helped Serah learn how to fight, he told me everything about her after we arrived in the new world" Yeul explained, Hope looked at her "I thought you two had feelings for each-other" he stated, Yeul gave him a look, one that instantly read 'are you serious' "No, it used to be like that, but now we're more like siblings, since I was the only friend he had we had more of a familial love, that's why he wanted me back with him in this world so badly, he wanted a sisterly figure in his life, and if he's happy I'm happy" she stated.

I felt a bit relieved at the news of Snow and Serah breaking up to be honest, it means I won't have that egotist for a brother in law. But suddenly we heard some noises akin to welding and the molding of metal, I instantly knew it was Hope building something in the back room, "Hope? What the hell are you doing?" I asked yelling over the noise, "PUTTING THAT SCANNER TOGETHER FOR YOU'RE FUTURE EXPLORATION!!" Hope yelled from the other room, Yeul handed Snow and I noise cancelling headphones. After the welding was done Hope came from the back wearing a welding helmet and an apron over his usual clothes, he was holding something in his latex gloved hands. "TA-DA! Here's that scanner I promised" he said pulling out a tiny watch, he placed it in an incubator looking box "Just to cool it down" Hope explained, it took 3 minutes to cool. After I put it on my left wrist a holographic screen appeared, Hope's always made great inventions but this time he really outdid himself. I saw a blue and red circle and it began talking to me "Hello Claire Farron, I am your High Energy Linguistics Environmental Nano Automaton, you can call me H.E.L.E.N.A" it said "Wow, Hope how long did this take you to make?" Snow asked "Uh about 2 weeks, I had to gather the materials and weld the metal while Yeul had to program H.E.L.E.N.A, to be honest I was kind of surprised when she finished" Hope explained. Yeul looked smug as I figured out how the scanner works, but suddenly we heard two familiar voices yell "WE'RE BACK, AND WE GOT DINNER!!"