#Confused guardian; he got caught off guard help XD

[fastfists]

It's honestly Knuckles' fault for being the hot one in the group.

"...?!?"

He is...not sure how to take this. It sounds innocent enough, after all his internal temperature is always hot — it's why he's usually the heat source for others or can withstand the cold.

However, he had enough experience now with Rouge to know that could have a double meaning and probably does. Even if the echidna would have to argue he's not...hot? Least he doesn't think he is that hot. Not that he's about to argue that point right now.

For now, just...silent and confused.

[havarstpapyrus]

Now we have the Guardian of Positivity

Dream

Let's start off with his likes now this will be a tad bit confusing just a heads up

° Loves Cross

° Loves his brother Nightmare

° His loyal servent best friend

° Music

° Balance

° Adventure

° Everything being clean

° Love

° Death

° Soft Pranks

° Cooking WHERES THE FUCKING KNIFES!

° Training

° HiKing

° Vegetables that'll change soon :)

° Likes smelling flowers

° Betrayal

° Destruction

° Team exercises

Now for the bad XD

° [ Information Unavailable ]

° Corruption you know you love me

° Peace

° Destruction

° Hates being watched

° Being a Failure you already are one

° Monster Dust

° [ Information Unavailable ]

° Owls

° Dark chocolate you like then just admit it

° Apples

° Wet Grass smell

° Anything dirty

° Gaslighting

° Death/Reaper Fucker won't die

Here's some info about Dream ^^ this part is towards Dream and not the Red wording

My twin and I were created by the tree of emotions. I don't know the full story as our Mother always refused to tell me. At first it everything was fine; my brother and I were tightly knitted, we did everything together I don't remember a time we were ever apart for longer then two minutes.

We laughed, played, and watched the clouds. Nightmare always loved making gifts. If I was honest I wasn't any good at healing magic like Nightmare but I could make them forget their pains until my brother could properly heal them. Animals, plants and even when someone visited it was all the same. I helped those forget their pains and injuries while Nightmare rushed to break their wounds and lease their illnesses.

Until one day I was at the village years later for to long and came back to see a villager hurting Nightmare while he tried to heal someone.

It didn't make sense then and still doesn't today.

I'll never know what happened that made them attack my precious brother even when I asked it was dismissed by Nightmare and lied to by the villagers.

After that day I stayed by Nightmares side. I don't want them to hurt my brother anymore as he's done nothing to them yet they went and hurt him. This beating continued whenever I had to leave my brother.

It hurt so much to see him hurt and trying to heal himself to the point he fell ill. The only reason he never got worse was because I brought him everywhere with me even to the villagers for medicine. They were happy to see me finally accepting their offers but livid to know the reason behind it.

We grew older and the beatings have stopped or so I had thought. Nightmare grew distant and never went to the village even with my efforts and pleading with him to come with.

It was one day that I saw the beatings Nightmare had gotten when we were kids never stopped. They villagers were beating him with brooms, pitch forks, and bats.

My soul almost shattered at the mer sight of all this. I ran to them and shielded Nightmares body with my own to make them stop since they never once tried to hurt me. I yelled at them with tears running down my face to leave and never come back. They were never welcomed back ever again.

They were so hurt by my words but I couldn't even care. They hurt my brother, my twin, my family why would I ever want to see them if this is how they treat Nightmare?

That day I hadn't left Nightmare's side not even to get food or water. They came back to give food and water as well as to say how sorry they were. Their emotions spoke otherwise. They weren't sorry not even close to it, they're only sorry because they got caught not because they ment it.

I shouldn't have left Nightmare alone, I didn't learn from the last time even though I had the animals guard our Mother and Nightmare.

Why didn't I stay?

It could've been all avoided if I had stayed.

I had left for only five minutes to get Nightmare some of his favorite fruits and flower. By the time I had gotten back it was too late Nightmare was on the ground beaten and bloodied with the villagers trying to steal the apples from our Mother. They had picked almost all the golden apples I could hear Mother screaming in agony yelling and begging them to stop.

Yet they did not listen nor hear her.

I ran as fast as I could and kicked one of the villagers down taking their weapon and swung at the people on my Mother forcing them off. I was too far away to help my brother and keep Mother safe. One of the villagers took one swing at Nightmare and busted his skull open. I couldn't help but rush to them but they grabbed and pinned me down.

I cried and begged then to not hurt Nightmare anymore. I begged then to spare his life and even offered them to keep the apples of it ment keeping Nightmare safe.

They did not listen nor did they see Nightmare healing himself or the three apple that was by him. All we heard was a crunch then a heart wrenched scream.

The next thing I knew Nightmare had black sluge like mess cover his bones and staining his cloths as he murdered the villagers one by one. Their screams were much less pained then the one he let out but it still didn't feel right.

None of this was right.

The villagers that had pinned me had fled only to be killed. I was alone with the monster they have created and what I was trying to prevent and stop it from happening.

" Brother stop this! I know you never wanted this to happen please come back to me please!" I pleaded slowly getting up to face him but I wasn't prepared for what I saw and heard.

" Silence." Was the last thing he said. His voice was filled with so much hate and anger laced with pure evil. Last thing that I ever saw was him turning his back to me and walked away then my vision left me.

We'll bring him back for now just sleep.

Stats time :D

Name : Dream

Age : [ Information Unavailable ]

Gender : Male

Pronouns : She/Her

HP : 50,000

HP : 24,000

ATT : 800

ATT : 1,785

DEF : 350

DEF : 90

Magic lv : 400/760

Magic lv : 730/ 900

Weapon of choice : twin blade sword

Side weapon: [ Information Unavailable ]

I don't think you need to know that :)

" The radient Garudian blocks your way and is ready to fight. You get the feeling that it's best not show any negative emotion as this monster might try to kill you. "

[airyravenmaid]

Lightning Never Strikes Twice

Well, I fuckin’ did it. After much convincing from a certain Lightis server I joined like last month, I finally decided to post this and the other thing I wrote. However, to clear up any confusion, I must let you all know that though NoctLight obviously happens in my Versus XV AU, dem nerds were in no way love at first sight (which doesn’t even exist anyways lol). In fact, things didn’t start picking up until like super late Chapter 5, then went from there (for better and worse; this is centered around XV’s storyline after all XD), but this takes place during the beginning of Chapter 3 where Light first joins the team, so blah.

But, okay, since that’s finally out of the way, here’s where it all began for this Wonderland of a little sub-universe I created from two FF games I so happen to enjoy combined together. I can only hope you guys like this piece too, and I can very highly consider publishing the other thing I wrote. Happy reading; have lots of fun doing so! 💘

“A prince? You’re asking me to help escort… a prince.”

“I wouldn’t exactly say ‘escort’. What I’m asking you to do is more to accompany him and his retinue until they reach Altissia.”

“Why me of all people? And if they’ve been gone for a while, don’t you think they’re fine on their own?”

“Believe me, I know they are. But after… recent events here in Insomnia, there’s no such thing as being too careful.” Out came a peach colored folder full of photos and official documents, all on her and basic history she was sure a certain ‘new world creation phenomenon’ had preserved and written in for public records even in its neighboring dimension. No other explanation served, so she continued to listen intently with reluctance swallowed. “Says here you’ve had quite a bit of military history as the sergeant of something called the ‘Guardian Corps’?”

“Correct. Since my teenage years.”

“And your superior officer was a man named Amodar?”

“Lieutenant Amodar. That’s right.”

“I see. Keep in mind, I wouldn’t hire just any old nobody off the streets to do the job. Looking it over very carefully a few times, someone with your experience looks to be the right fit. Question is, can you actually do it?”

“Doesn’t matter if someone can or can’t. Some things in life you just do.”

Taking that as a firm agreement, the man known infamously as “The Immortal” closed the folder of the former soldier’s documents and officially sealed her new mission. With everything said that needed to be, directions to the next train stopping near her destination in Duscae, and a formal salute, she was off carrying the needed profiles of the four men she was to meet. He himself at the time needed to leave for a checkpoint in a place known as “Hammerhead”, so when her part of the deal was to come, she’d be ready as she ever would for it.

Or so Lightning so wanted to believe. Truth of the matter was, this new mission she sorely hoped would be her absolute final one was the dead last thing on her mind. From the whole Purge travesty with the long-abolished Sanctum that inadvertently turned her into a “dreaded” l’Cie to waking up from a crystal slumber after five whole centuries only to have thirteen days total to save her loved ones and others from impending doom, to say she was sick and tired of fighting for her life was an unfunny understatement.

But, the forces of fate she lived to fight were, as usual, on the opposing side. Because there she found herself; slumped against the window of her train seat wearing the outfit she’d long dubbed the “Heartstealer” from her first times wearing it, even further away from her new home with the loved ones she once again had to leave behind for the time being. Promises made to come back after her “short trip” she vowed to keep at all costs. And no spoiled little prince or his merry band of bodyguards was going to get in the way of her own decisions.

“Next stop, Alstor!” the conductor announced, the train pulling up at the closest station to where Lightning was asked it go. It’d still be a walk away from the actual spot, but it wasn’t anything she couldn’t manage.

‘Where did Cor tell me to go again?’ Lightning wondered in her thoughts, looking at the specific directions given. ‘The “Coernix Station”? Doesn’t sound like much of a waiting area.’

Looking around her while figuring out which way to go after what, Lightning seemed to truly take in how alien the place felt to her. It wasn’t at all like anything she’d experienced years ago back on Cocoon, or even the short time she spent journeying in Nova Chrysalia. No, the Duscae region itself had more of a… retro, much simpler feeling to it. But, whatever it looked like, she had more important things to do than sightsee a place she never intended on seeing again for the rest of her life after she was done.

“Still seems like quite a walk,” Lightning commented, glancing up at the frontmost direction to see no leads on the station. “Best take a shortcut so nobody shows up to a missing recruit. What’s…? ‘Alstor Slough’, huh? I’ll just cut through that.”

Rolling up her navigating directions, Lightning took a turn that led her right along a path going through a grassy area full of pinkish wooden plants growing out from the bristled plains. So long as she stayed on that one path and went the right way, nothing could go wrong for the armed former soldier. Staying on guard was second nature to her, so any mysterious creatures lurking around would have to deal with her first and foremost.

And as if taking heed of a secret cue, the first unlucky volunteers caught sight of her and stepped forward. Well, Lightning wouldn’t say so much stepped as she would a group of pale, sickly-looking mutant wolf-like creatures with teeth sharper than her own blade charging her way.

“Your funeral, not mine,” Lightning stated, unsheathing Blazefire Saber from the case strapped to her body. In the blink of an eye, the gunblade unfolded itself into its sword form, giving its owner the okay to run at the first of the strange creatures to cut right through it.

Lightning didn’t have any sort of clue what she was fighting, but she cared just as little at the same time. The wolf-like mutants in spite of their ferocious appearances didn’t seem to be putting up much of a fight either, considering how easily the woman was cutting through them like a hot knife against cold butter. One tried so foolishly to take her down from behind, only to be silenced by Lightning whipping around and firing a strategic bullet out of her weapon’s giant pistol mode before it unfolded back into a blade to effortlessly take down its brethren.

With one remaining in sight, the beast lunged to try and take a fatal bite of her. Instead of any sort of flesh or muscle, however, it stopped rigged in its tracks when it received a unpleasant mouthful of sword cutting right through the back of its head. Lightning ripped her weapon from the creature, giving it one more cautious slash to ensure it’d truly died. Now surrounded by lifeless carcasses of the pack, Lightning folded Blazefire Saber back into a gun and resheathed it, walking along her way as if uninterrupted.

“Not much of a fight,” she commented, brushing herself free of dust or dirt. “Here’s to hoping the other creatures here are smarter than them.”

Throughout the rest of her trek, Lightning only somewhat got her wish. As she’d consciously expected, more of the same beast tried to make a meal of her, but she valiantly cut her path open again going through each one. By her arrival even closer to her goal than before, Lightning was looking rather scuffed up. It wasn’t anywhere near as bad as fights she’d been more used to, but there was still hoping the Coernix Station had some refreshments to give her more of a boost.

‘Here we are,’ Lightning thought, walking uphill and crossing over to the actual rest area across the road. Her stomach growled a few more steps in, the woman knowing better than to ignore hunger and risk collapsing in the most unorthodox way possible. “Let’s see what’s at that ‘Crow’s Nest’ place.”

“Welcome, Miss!” a man she assumed to be the diner’s cook greeted her once she sat down at the bar. “What can I get for ya today?”

Lightning looked up at the menu and its three most prominent choices being promoted. Fries and salmon anybody with a brain could recognize, but the beverage and names of all the choices were absolutely alien to her. “Are you… ‘Kenny’?”

“Who, me? No! The food here’s just named after our mascot, Kenny Crow! I’m sure you’ve heard of him, haven’t you?”

“Kenny who?”

“Oh. A foreigner, are ya? That’s okay, everyone has their first time to the Crow’s Nest at one point! What would you like?”

“A plate of ‘Kenny’s fries’ will do. And a bottle of… Jetty’s? Do you have a mascot named Jetty too?”

“Nah, that’s just the name of Kenny Crow’s trademark mineral water! It’s good, you wanna try some?”

“Sure. A bottle of that too’s good.”

“Comin’ right up!”

As good as the salmon looked, Lightning only had so much Gil on her to spend at the moment, so spending 1,400 of it on a plate of cooked fish wasn’t a smart option. Instead, she paid the 200 Gil owed for her fries and water and waited patiently until both showed up. Since she was able to enjoy the meal, now all that remained for Lightning was for the “royal retinue” to show up and pick her up for the mission. Joy, she thought without a hint of it in her head. Travelling with strangers she didn’t know or care about in an unfamiliar world. Etro knows what could await her then.

The fries digesting in her gut replenished plenty of energy lost fighting monsters in the infested plains, and the quarter-consumed Jetty’s water bottle helped a plenty. While checking out the “Shop & Café” next door to see if she needed anything from it, Lightning saw an unfamiliar, sleek fancy black car parked in front of where others like it would sit to refill its tank. She would have thought nothing of it, were it not for the four young gentlemen in black clothing close to her (physical; how old she really was as a result of her awakening from stasis was something between only her and her loved ones back home) age range inadvertently proving themselves as the owners of said vehicle.

From the shop window, Lightning picked up on all four faces, opening the documenting profiles she was given on one of the small white tables in the shop. Looking between the clear headshots and the men outside, she had a match. Before being given the chance to pack the documents up, she heard a voice belonging to one of them speak up and get closer to her proximity.

“—Here we are! Finally meeting ex-sergeant Lightning Farron!” the rather perky voice chirped, its source a scrawny spiky-haired, blue-eyed blond with youthful freckles and a weird section of flannel hanging out from under his top. “Man, I’d bet he’s this tall, burly, really hairy fella— probably something like Gladio, but even more gruff than that!” He took a look into the shop she was in, catching the sight of her but not yet fully processing reality. “Yeah, and he’s gotta be really strong with his petite figure; soft, luscious lips pink like the rose, breathtakingly alluring blue eyes, wavy pink hair, and—!” The wide-eyed look on his face quickly informed Lightning the realization struck him quicker than her moniker. “—Is actually an extremely beautiful woman?!”

“Run that by me again?” Lightning questioned, folding her arms and cocking her head to the side.

“Err, uhhh… I—”

Another man stepped in before the first could snap fully out of his stupor, this one taller and more mature looking with slicked up auburn hair and viridescent eyes able to properly see through oval-shaped glasses. He saw her too, only holding up information given to him prior to see if it was right. “‘Lightning Farron’?”

“Who wants to know?” Lightning asked, ever-rigid towards the man with the befittingly fancy accent.

“Ignis S. Scientia, advisor to the Prince of Lucis. I trust you’ve been informed of us by a one Cor Leonis?”

Okay, at least she could be sure they were definitely the right people, now by physical appearance and name in the profiles. “Oh. So, you have to be the ‘royal retinue’ I’ve been put on the escort mission with. In that case, yes.” Lightning gave Ignis a formal salute of honor to show courtesy, not minding his stoic expression not moving an inch from its default form. She ignored the blond examining her at several angles, dismissive of whatever was going on in his head. “Former Sergeant Lightning Farron, at your service, Ignis Scientia. A pleasure to meet you.”

“The pleasure is all mine, Miss Farron.” Ignis on the other hand gave her a formal half-bow, already on her civil side with his polite first impression.

“Uhhh… huh,” the blond one stuttered, unable to fully digest Lightning’s physical form as if she were some ethereal goddess walking among the mortal realm.

“...Can I help you?” Lightning half-hissed, already running low on patience for that one’s brainless nonsense.

“Don’t mind Prompto, he gets easily befuddled meeting new young women,” Ignis warned her. “Come with me. You might as well make yourself more acquainted with the other two while you’re at it.”

Following Ignis with the one named Prompto not too far behind, Lightning saw only one of the missing two men she had yet to meet. This one she figured to be the tallest, the incredibly muscular build pairing well with the gruff long dark chestnut mullet hairstyle and noticeable scar running down one of his rust-colored eyes. Well put together as he was, Lightning remained unaffected by physical appearance alone, though her hands now rested on her hips with the profiles in her grasp rather than be folded in her stubborn arms.

“And who’s this here, Iggy? Don’t think I’ve ever seen this one around these parts before,” the tall and muscular one mentioned, his tone giving off hints of a flirty vibe.

“Our newest recruit for the journey’s course,” Ignis answered.

“Really? You’re Sergeant Farron, huh?” Now his eyes were on her, almost as carefully as Prompto’s were but a lot less clumsy.

“That’s me.” Lightning skimmed through the files until she found a match on the burly one’s features. “‘Gladiolus Amicitia’, I assume?”

“King’s Shield in the flesh. But, calling me just ‘Gladio’ is perfectly fine. Gotta say, wasn’t expecting such a pretty face like yours to go with a name like ‘Lightning’.”

“Is that supposed to mean something?”

“Nah. Cor recruited you for a reason, so you’ve gotta have lots of fighting spirit in ya. Otherwise, the Marshal wouldn’t have even considered you.”

“Experience, I’ve got. ‘Fighting spirit’, on the other hand, is what I’m not allowed to get rid of nowadays.” Lightning unveiled Blazefire Saber, flicking her wrist forward to unfold it into its sword form to both the awe of Gladio and Prompto, and the intrigue of Ignis. “So long as I’ve got this by my side, I’m stuck in the battlefield once again.”

“Some sword you got there, Sarge. A little small if you ask me, though.”

“And why’s it have a trigger?” Prompto wondered, running a finger over the rim until Lightning pulled her gunblade away from his reach. “Just for decor?”

“No, that’s real. When I don’t wanna use the blade, I just shoot my targets.”

Prompto let out a loud gasp of excitement at the revelation, starry eyes now glued to Blazefire Saber. “You use guns too?! Ooh, ooh! Show us a demonstration?! Pleeeease?”

“Rather not. Wouldn’t wanna cause a scene at such a little rest stop.” She folded it back and put it away while Prompto’s face fell disappointed. “It’ll be worth the wait once we get moving.”

“That is, as soon as His Highness comes back. He should be just about finishing up his talk with the Crow’s Nest owner momentarily,” Ignis guessed. “Seems a friend of ours required our assistance, and Noct’s asking for directions on where to find the missing dog tags.”

“As in the one for pets, or the one for soldiers?”

“The second one,” Gladio answered. “I’m sure you’ve had some when you were in the line of duty where you’re from, right?”

Before Lightning could answer the question, footsteps approached the group. Turning her head, she’d found the last of the retinue; the Lucian Prince himself. His photo seemed to add up with his appearance; messily spiked hair blacker than the night sky, eyes a shade of navy blue as modest as his current expression. For royalty, Lightning figured, he certainly didn’t dress the part. How he acted, however, was beyond her knowledge and concern for the time being.

“Hi there,” he greeted her politely. “Guys, who’s this?”

“This, Noctis, would be the team’s latest addition that Cor informed us of,” Ignis told him, the prince’s face shifting to a noticeable disappointment at the news. “I’d like for you to meet former Sergeant Lightning Farron.”

“Oh. So this is who’s joining the team the rest of the way? That’s… great.” You’d have to be deaf to not hear the blatant malcontent in Noctis’ tone, especially so when he looked at Lightning.

“I know, right?!” Prompto cheered, he himself elated at the woman’s presence in stark contrast to his standoffish best friend. “Dude! Her weapon? It’s a gun and a sword all in one! It’s like the 2-in-1 of weapons! You should see it!”

Noctis didn’t seem to entirely believe such a silly claim, merely accepting it as the other boy’s typical excitement at whatever. “Thanks, Prompto, but I’ll have to pass. Alright, and you’re ‘Sergeant Farron’, then?”

“The one and only.” Lightning pulled out His Highness’ profile, looking over his name with a raised pink brow. “‘Prince Noctis Lucis Caelum CXIV’. Who has their home as their middle name? You don’t see my name being ‘Lightning Bodhum Farron’ or anything like that.” Then again, Fang and Vanille were two exceptions to that, but even that was based more on Oerban culture than nobility.

“You didn’t exactly see me asking for your help either, and yet here we are.”

“Wow, Princess, mind telling me what just crawled up your ass and died?” Gladio scolded, as taken aback as the other two by Noctis’ snarky comment towards the equivalent of a new guest.

“Recently? A lot of things including my home town,” Noctis bit back. “Look, it’s nothing personal towards someone I don’t even know, but you heard Cor; he didn’t have a reason to worry about us anymore.”

“Him not being worried does not equate to rejecting another pair of hands to ease what lies ahead for us,” Ignis reminded him. “Someone with Lightning’s militant combat experience wouldn’t be anything except highly beneficial.”

“Yeah, so quit acting like a rude little punk in front of the new girl and suck it up,” Gladio growled. “‘Cause from here on out, you’re stuck with her.”

“It’s not my problem on whether or not he wants my help,” Lightning clarified to the elder two of the group, her frigid teal eyes making full contact with Noctis’ cooled midnight ones. “Frankly, Your Highness, you’re not the only one who wishes I wasn’t here right now. But, I still have a mission to complete. So, here’s the deal: we go to Altissia and back to settle what you need to, then after, we part ways forever as if you never even met me. Sound fair?”

“Fine by me,” Noctis agreed, shrugging indifferently.

“It’s fine by me too. Now, quit complaining.”

“Great start,” Gladio sighed sarcastically, not looking forward to any possible future discord between one of his best friends and the ex-soldier.

Lightning waved off Noctis getting inside the car, turning her attention to Prompto still inspecting her like she was some sort of murder suspect. “Okay, what’s with you? If you’re not gonna actually ask me something, then take a picture. It’ll last longer.” FLASH! “...Were you seriously waiting for me to say that just to do it for real?”

“Not exactly, but why pass up such a nice photo op anyways?” Prompto wondered, looking at the new photo of the scowling, but otherwise elegant-looking Lightning taken on his camera. “Wow! You are really photogenic! Of course, I wasn’t exactly expecting you to be a girl in the first place, but either way, it’s a good kind of surprise.”

“You didn’t know I was a girl? How?”

“Well, when I heard we’re joining up with someone named ‘Lightning’, I kinda figured you were… a guy? You don’t hear about a lot of girls called that, anyways.” Prompto had his hands up, Lightning’s scowl giving him the impression she was going to react poorly if he didn’t think his words through well enough. “It’s not a bad thing! Boy or girl, we’re really happy to have you aboard!”

“Most of us, anyways,” Ignis corrected, glancing over at Noctis’ apathetic expression as the prince could only be thinking of how much he didn’t want the extra help from anybody.

“Tomato, tomahto, Igster! Give Noct a little time and he might consider lightning up.”

“Prompto, we haven’t even gotten back on the road yet,” Gladio warned with disdain. “Don’t make Lightning already regret having to travel with us.”

‘Wouldn’t say he’s made me do something that’s already there,’ Lightning scoffed internally, flipping to the last profile. “‘Prompto Argentum’, huh?”

“You got it! My name can mean ‘quicksilver’ if you put it together. So, you could say I’m about as fast as ‘lightning’ myself. Coincidence?”

“More like a cruel irony.” Lightning rolled her eyes openly at Prompto’s flirty comment, but the boy didn’t let up all that much.

“Oooh, so witteh. I can tell you’re gonna do just fine with us!”

The honk of the Regalia’s horn courtesy of Ignis in the driver’s seat cut their conversation even shorter, Prompto hopping into the middle seat next to Gladio in the back. Lightning seemed lost in thought while ensuring everything was with her and accounted for. Once she left that station with the other four, Etro knew how long it’d be until she was finally free to go and be back alongside her actual loved ones she’d worked so hard to have a happy ending with after 500 years worth of utter Hell. That in itself would have to wait; for now, there was one last important task she had to put up with and earn herself a peaceful start over for real.

“Come on, new girl! We don’t wanna hit traffic!” Prompto called out to her, waving his hand high to get her attention.

“Be right there,” Lightning sighed, getting into the leftmost backseat behind the driver’s one and buckling in next to Prompto. “So, what’s our first order of business?”

“We’re meeting up with my sister, Iris, in Lestallum,” Gladio said. “She thankfully made it out okay from the attack on Insomnia.”

“But, she didn’t say to come right away! Just when we’re able to get there,” Prompto stated as the Regalia finally drove away from the Alstor Coernix Station and onto the road. “And word on the street is there’s a Chocobo Ranch not too far away from here! Wouldn’t hurt to check that out, would it?”

“There’s no time for that. Lestallum first, chocobos later,” Gladio retorted, far too concerned about his younger sister to agree to partake in a casual visit just yet.

“Maybe we’ll be able to do both,” Noctis suggested. “But whatever’s the most possible right now is what’s first.”

“Never thought visiting chocobos would be one of the choices,” Lightning commented, already dreading where things possibly might go if they stop at the ranch despite she herself liking the creatures just fine.

“There’s never a wrong time to ride some chocobos. Can’t really blame Prompto for wanting to see the ranch; the big things are pretty cute!” That had to have been the first time Lightning heard Noctis’ voice go up an octave from excitement in her presence, something that surely wouldn’t last next time he was to have an actual conversation with her. “I kinda hope we do stop there first just to see and maybe ride a few.”

‘Nice to see our priorities are where they should be,’ Lightning sarcastically commented in her mind, leaning with her elbow propped on the roofless side window as the road wind blew parts of her roseate hair backwards. “Day one…”

Staring out from the car at her surroundings, Lightning recognized the Alstor Slough, having been the only area she’d actually been in on the current route. Aside from that, no place she’d been in long enough compared to the world she was in now. It went without saying that Lightning was definitely not in Nova Chrysalia (or the long-felled Cocoon, but at least her birthplace didn’t have anything comparable to Eos like her closest bet with the former world’s Gothic city of Luxerion) anymore.

If it was going to be a while before she contacted the others at home outside of digital communication, then it was about time the ex-Guardian Corps soldier made do until her awaited mission completion arrived to finally let her rest. In no way did she approve of it in the first place, but as she was used to: mandatory duty was mandatory duty, regardless of her exact feelings on the matter.

[kusunogatari-a]

[ SasuHinaMonth Day Eleven: Demon/Angel AU ] [ @sasuhinamonth ] [ Uchiha Sasuke, Hyūga Hinata ] [ SasuHina, death mention ] [ Verse: Watching Wings of White ]

He’s never been one for religion.

Even when the diagnosis comes back.

His father defaults to his rigid silence. His mother starts to murmur prayers. But his brother, the one whose life now hangs on a thread...does neither.

Still he smiles.

But Sasuke…

He rebels against the news. Refuses to accept it. Can’t stand to see his brother so calm, so...resigned! “How can you just sit there and do nothing?!”

“...because there is nothing left to do.”

No...no!

He skips school. Doesn’t go for a week. The administration calls, but his mother insists he’s too unstable to go - begs for a little more time. Apologizes, explains, all within earshot as he seethes.

On a Friday, he sneaks out of the house. Skulks through the dark neighborhood, heading toward an abandoned building several blocks away. He’s been tearing it apart from the inside out, venting his anger and grief through destruction that no one will notice.

So deep is he in his rage, he doesn’t notice the oncoming car. Not until headlights round the corner, and he looks up like a doe, frozen and staring.

...the next thing he knows, he lands hard on his backside, the vehicle not even slowing down. But...how did he…? What -? Who -?

“You really need to be more careful!”

Scrambling to his feet, Sasuke whips his head around, trying to find the source of the voice. “Who...who’s there? What -?”

Another turn puts him face to face with a set of pale eyes that seem to glow in the darkness. With a yelp, he falls once more, scrambling to back away with a heavy chest and drumming heart.

“You’re so clumsy…! Here, let me help you…” Hands reach, tucking under his armpits and lifting him as though he were a feather. Too shocked to refuse, Sasuke does little more than stare as the hovering figure alights atop the grass like a moth. Feathered wings ruffle to fold at her back, hands clasped before her.

“...you…?”

“Sorry...I wanted to introduce myself in a less...spectacular way, but I couldn’t let you get hit by a car, now could I?” She smiles, still looking at him with eyes like moons. “...you can call me Hinata. I’ve been assigned as your guardian angel.”

Silence.

“...okay. That car actually hit me. I’m comatose, and imagining things. Cuz this is stupid.” Refusing to accept what he sees, Sasuke lifts his hands in a gesture of defeat. “All Mom’s praying must be getting to my head. This is all just a load of bullshit.”

“Please, mind your language!”

“Piss off, lady - if I’m gonna be stuck in a coma, the last thing I want is company.” Still, he can’t help but startle as she flutters back in front of him, a stern look on her face.

“You are not comatose, Sasuke. This is real. Your mother has been awfully worried about you, and her prayers have caught our attention. I’m here to help you, until your grieving for your brother comes to an end.”

“...why not go help my brother, instead? I don’t give a shit about myself!” Dark eyes glare at her, clearly unamused. “...if it makes you happy, sure. I’ll play along. But angels aren’t real. Miracles aren’t real. You aren’t real.”

“I have a name.”

Sasuke sighs, head bowing. “...what is it?”

“I told you: Hinata. As for why I’m with you and not your brother...he’s already been assigned an angelic companion.”

That gets him to pause. “...are they...is he gonna live?”

“She’s doing everything she can. Please, trust me. But...you’re struggling too, Sasuke. And I’m here to help you.”

“...I don't need your help. I don't want it, either! Look, this…!” He cuts off with a curt sigh. “...I’m losing my mind. Or I’m dead. Or unconscious on the sidewalk. This can’t be -!”

A palm presses to his chest, and words cut to silence. A strange...warmth? blooms from where the angel touches him. Unbidden, tears flow from his eyes as his body reacts to her energy.

“...I know you do not believe,” she murmurs. “Your mother was worried your lack of faith would deter us. But we love all humans, regardless of their faith in us. And you need us. You’ve taken this burden on your shoulders alone, and pushed away all others. I’m your last chance for help, Sasuke. Please...don’t push me away, too.”

Staring at her with wide, uncensored eyes, Sasuke finds himself unable to look away. Her expression is a strange mix of sympathy, sadness...and an intensity that makes him feel so small.

And then...he realizes...she looks...familiar.

“...what...did you say your name was?”

“Hinata.” Seeing his recognition, it’s her turn to sigh. “...I knew you once, when you were very small. As was I. But...when I was seven, my mother and I were killed in a car accident. And I was given the chance to help others, even after my time on Earth was over. I became a guardian angel. And you...are the first person I’ve been assigned.” Slowly, she withdraws her hand, letting the strange, silver glow from her palm recede.

Clearly struggling, Sasuke mumbles, “I...I don’t u-understand…?”

“Your grief is tearing you apart, Sasuke. Others have tried to reach you, to help you. But you’ve turned them away. The path you follow has darkened...and would have ended dead on this sidewalk if I hadn’t intervened. I’m here to guard you, guide you...and help you find your right path again.”

He takes to pacing. This is all...too much. An angel - an honest-to-God angel - is supposed to...what? Become his therapist? A friend? This doesn’t make any sense! He’s never cared for faith...and his brother being on Death’s door isn’t going to change that.

Hinata waits, watching him patiently.

“...I was going to die. That car…?”

“Yes...as your guardian, it was my task to stop it.” Her posture softens. “...does that not open your eyes?”

“...what do you -?”

“Your mother would have lost another son tonight. Your father, too. Have you lost sight of the fact that you are not the only one grieving…? Your brother means the world to you...but not only to you.” Palms cup his face, watching him flinch as he expects another thrum of heavenly energy. “...I know what it is to leave family behind. Please, Sasuke...look at what you are pushing away. Your family is worried about you. They can’t take another heartbreak. So please...let your anger rest tonight. Go home. Hug your father. Tell your mother you love her. Don’t let what you have slip through your fingers.”

...it’s then it really seems to hit him. He was slated to die. Bound to leave his mother without another son. “...I…?”

“It’s not too late - that’s why I’m here. To help you find your second chance.” She smiles at him, seeing his mind begin to change. “...I’ll go with you. Don’t worry. No one else can see me. Now...shall we head back?”

Staring up at the angel’s face, it takes just a moment to make up his mind. “...a-all right.”

He sneaks in through the back door. Apologizes to his father. Embraces his mother. Both seem confused...but accept their son’s apparent change of heart, looks of hope on their faces.

...and then, he goes upstairs to his brother’s room.

Itachi is asleep, looking gaunt as always. Shallow breaths lift and let fall his chest.

...he’s not alone.

Sitting along the edge of his bed, with a hand resting atop his sternum, another angel stares down at him with a sympathetic gaze. As Sasuke opens the door, she looks up, the same moon-like eyes as her counterpart wide in surprise.

“...Sasuke…?”

In a moment they both vanish, Itachi stirring to give his brother a glance.

“...yeah. It’s me.”

The elder brother smiles, watching him approach. “...I was having the strangest dream...of a light, and...glowing eyes…” He takes a deep breath, and then sighs. “...I feel...rested, for once.” When Sasuke doesn’t reply, staring intensely, he asks, “...what’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“...no. Not quite. I’m...glad you’re feeling better. Go back to sleep. I’ll see you in the morning.”

Itachi’s brow furrows slightly, but he gives a nod. “...goodnight, Sasuke.”

Once the door closes behind him, Sasuke slumps against a wall, a hand over his face as shoulders shake. He hears the whisper of Hinata’s movement. “...Sasuke…?”

Struggling to compose himself, he can only murmur, “...thank you.”

“...we’ve not reached the end of your road. Nor has Itachi his. But...it’s a start. You shouldn't thank me yet, but...you’re welcome.”

     Word count: 1452      Cumulative: 13,332      Man this prompt gave me some trouble! I don’t really have much of a verse for this sort of thing: I’ve only used this particular one once, and not for quite some time. I almost forgot I had it!      This one isn’t as...romantic, but hopefully it still counts as SasuHina. I really enjoy the idea of Hinata as a guardian angel - it’s something I might have to visit again later. But for now, I’ve got a headache, and it’s late...time to sleep. I’m not sure if I’m 100% happy with this, but this was my second attempt, and I’m too tired to try again xD It’ll have to do! Hopefully tomorrow’s will be better~