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RebuffX7: Here we go my first public story and on this page, hopefully the feedback you guys give me can help us have an enjoyable time until Rebuke returns!

[Betaed by: The Undying Will]

{Beta's Note: The Beta Reader has stamped his approval. Actually, there really wasn't much to Beta. Rebuff did a superb job in writing this…even if I feel the need to look for mistakes that aren't there so kudos to her! P.S. Rebuff, you may have noticed this but I shifted a few things to the center, I think it feels better to read that way although you could change it back if you don't like it.}

RebuffX7: Nice!

Featured BGMS:

Vengeance-Zack Hemsey

Blinded by Light-Final Fantasy XII OST

Victory Fanfare-Final fantasy VII OST

-Halkeginia: Ground Zero-

BGM: Vengeance-Zack Hemsey

"Damn...damn it…! Such power…" A tall woman with pink hair and bright aqua eyes grunted out as she forced herself up to her feet. Covering her body were broken pieces of metal and burnt cloth-the remains of what used to be armor. The woman cursed as she looked down at her left arm where she found a piece of burnt twisted metal that used to be her trusted shield. Her right arm hung limply at her side as her crimson blade lay stabbed into the ground before her. "Broken." The woman muttered before she slung off her shield before prying her blade from the ground. "How are you holding up?" The woman questioned as she rested her blade on her shoulder and turned around

"As good as expected. Much more than what we can say for...well, everything else." A second woman replied. Like the first, the second woman too had pink hair though her right eye was pink while her left was closed and covered in blood that slid down her face. She was a shorter woman, standing a head shorter than the first and her elegant black dress was still recognizable despite the occasional tear here and there. "Light…if you hadn't blocked that–"

"–Don't think about it. What matters is that you survived." Lightning said firmly making the shorter woman laugh bitterly.

"Yes but only I did, look." The woman said as she gestured to their surroundings where there was nothing but a massive scorched crater that extended as far as either of their eyes could see, no other sign of life spotted. The only piece of land that was even close to unscathed rested beneath their feet. "I feel nothing, no life besides mine and yours…this world is dead." The woman said as a tear slid from her eye.

*Flash*

Before Lightning could respond a massive staircase rose from the ground and up towards a massive door that was forged out of the brightest crystal either of them had ever seen.

"This is it…the final battle." Lightning murmured. "We cannot afford to think about what happened. Like you said, everything is gone so we can no longer fight for freedom, but we can still fight for vengeance. So I ask you, will you fight? Or will you waver?" Lightning asked coldly.

"I never waver." The woman answered resolutely as she matched Lightning's glare with her own before brushing past the armored woman. "You once said nothing could defeat that thing, and you were right. I am nothing. This ends today." The woman stated making Lightning smirk slightly.

"Long live the Queen of heretics."

"Indeed." The woman said as she stepped onto the first stone step before turning around and grabbing Lightning's broken arm. "And as Queen, I must protect my subjects. Even if there is only one left." The woman said as her hand began to glow green with magic making Lightning wince ever so slightly as she felt her bones mending.

"We shouldn't waste our magic on superficial injuries."

"Only you consider a broken arm superficial…" The woman said with a chuckle before raising Lightning's arm up until she was eye-level with it. "Thank you, Light. Thank you for everything. You've gotten me so far…" The woman began before the green magic suddenly turned blue as the runes on Lightning's hand began to shine brightly. "But I must continue alone. Today marks the end of this dark twisted testament of mine. People are waiting for you back home, please do not leave them waiting longer and live your life. That is my final order for you as Queen." The woman said and before lightning could yank her arm back the woman pressed her lips to the back of her hand, directly on top of the shining runes. "Dispel."

*CRASH!*

"AH!" Lightning shouted as the runes suddenly shattered before a bright green portal opened up behind her. "No! You can't go alone! You're just going to die!" Lightning Shouted as she stabbed her blade into the ground and attempted to fight the vacuum like force of the portal.

"This isn't a matter of can or can't." The woman said with a pained expression before stepping forward and pressing her lips to Lightning's forehead as tears fell from both of their eyes. One with tears of rage, the other with tears of acceptance. "Thank you old friend." The woman whispered into Lightning's ear before pressing a quick kiss to the corner of her mouth. "But…" The woman began before turning around and continuing her trek up the stairs alone. "I'm not going to die, I'm going to find out if I was ever alive in the first place."

"Damn it..! Don't go, don't do this alone!" Lightning roared as she watched the woman reach the top of the stairs before pressing her hands to the crystal door. "Damn it!" Lightning cursed once more as she felt herself losing her footing as her grip on her blade weakened while the woman began to push open the door. "Louise!" Lightning shouted as she watched the woman's body become engulfed in a blinding light before she was sent flying back through the portal. "How…" Lightning began weakly as she felt her eyes getting heavy as exhaustion finally began to take over her body. "How did it end up like this?"

BGM: END

-10 years earlier: Halkeginia: Tristain Magic Academy: Library –

The night was late a few maids could be seen walking through the library on their way to put up some bedding into the school's storage when suddenly one of them stopped causing a couple to bump into her.

"Ow-hey Siesta, why did you stop?" A blonde maid questioned with a pout as looked over up at the black-haired maid whose attention was focused on something else in the distance. Frowning, the blonde turned to where Siesta was looking only to find a small girl with bright pink hair slumped over a table. Her face was planted firmly in some sort of book as she snored lightly. "Wow she's completely knocked out."

"Hey isn't that the one they call Zero?" A couple of the maids gossiped amongst themselves. "The black sheep of nobility."

"She should just give up. One less noble, the better. Besides I'm tired of cleaning up after her explosions." Another maid said with venom coating her words.

"Still, you gotta admit she tries hard. Almost a bit impressive, Founder knows I would have given up by now." The blonde maid mused to herself before jumping a bit as Siesta made her way to towards the sleeping noble. "Wait, Siesta don't! Haven't you heard the rumors about waking her up, she'll blow us all up!" The blonde maid said frantically before stopping and looking on in confusion as Siesta placed the blankets down before placing one over the sleeping noble. Quickly picking the blankets back up, Siesta returned to the maids whom were looking at her with mixed expressions of confusion and disgust.

"What are you? Some sort of noble lover?" A maid questioned with disgust making Siesta frown.

"There is a draft in here and I don't like to see people get sick. Especially when they have an important ceremony happening tomorrow." Siesta explained as they walked away. "Besides, Nobles are cruel to us and they have so much power that there is nothing we can do against them. Forgive me if I think being polite to the only one amongst them that may have any idea of how we feel is a bad thing."

"What do you mean?" The blonde maid questioned curiously.

"Nobles respect each other but hate commoners. Commoners respect each other but hate nobles." Siesta began. "But a mage that can't cast magic? If that's true then she's hated by both." Siesta explained making one of the maid's scoff.

"So what? You somehow saying she has it worse than us?"

"No. I'm just saying there is a chance that she understands." Siesta said patiently. "An understanding noble should be encouraged. Forgive me if you think I am wrong." Siesta said as she rendered the other maids silent for the remainder of their trip. Not a single one of them noticing the young noble grip the blanket tighter.

-The Next Day-

Today was the day.

The day that Louise could show them all that she was a true mage!

All of her peers and even many of her teachers had doubted her ability to ever actually perform magic but if she could pull this off, her first magical feat ever, she'd finally silence them.

"Oh~ It's the Zero's turn, maybe we should run now before she blows us all up!" A tall dark-skinned young woman with red-hair said loudly making the other students laugh as Louise clenched her wand tighter.

"Especially that damned, Zerbst!" Louise thought angrily as she approached Professor Colbert. With every step she had to force herself to remain calm. She had never broken down before them before and wouldn't begin now. Suddenly a cold thought ran through her mind, what if she had failed? What would she do then? It was bad enough she couldn't cast any elemental magic, but being a mage who couldn't even summon a familiar?

[On the battlefield, the only one a mage can trust besides themselves with one hundred percent certainty is their familiar. A mage without a familiar is as good as dead.]

Louise shuddered as she recalled her mother's words.

"What's the matter, Zero? Got stage fright?" Guiche called out making the students laugh even more…well most of them. A blue haired-mage named Tabitha had simply continued reading some sort of book she had in silence. Perhaps it was because, she had already summoned the most impressive familiar-a dragon-and was simply bored. Thinking about it, Louise realized that out of everyone, Tabitha-easily the best of their year-had never laughed at her despite being apparent friends with Zerbst.

"That's enough students!" Professor Colbert called out sternly as Louise shook her head of any doubts. Intent was one of the most important things in magic, it wouldn't serve her any good to start having doubts now. She needed to prove them all wrong now. "Please, Ms. Vallière, begin it is your turn." Colbert said kindly making Louise nod.

-Meanwhile: Dawn of the New World-

It was finally done, Lightning had did it. She killed god and saved not only her soul and the souls of her friends but also the billions of souls that had perished at hands of Bhunivelze. It was a long and treacherous journey…but now...now she could rest.

(LIAG Fun Fact: At the end of the FFXIII Trilogy-Lightning pretty much destroys their god-Bhunivelze…let's hope she and Kratos don't reproduce)

"It's time…my heart is no longer frozen." Lightning thought as she placed a hand over her chest. She released a long breath as she stood garbed in her Equilibrium armor. "Serah I promise, when I'm reborn I will find you…I will find all of you and I will keep you close and promise to never let go–even you Snow." Lightning thought as she prepared to surrender her physical form.

[Pentagon of the five elemental powers…]

"Gnh…what?" Lightning questioned aloud as she held her head in agony while a young feminine voice rung out through both her head, but her very soul as well. Lightning quickly found herself attempting to fly away as a green portal opened up out of nowhere behind her.

"Your…journey…is not over yet." A feminine voice said quietly as Lightning turned to find both Yeul and Noel standing behind her, both wearing pained expressions

"Long time no see?" Noel said awkwardly as he looked over at Lightning with an arm wrapped gently over Yeul's shoulders. They had just had one hell of a dramatic goodbye ten minutes prior but now here they were once more in each other's presence.

(LIAG Fun Fact: Noel and Yeul are the guardians of the new world after the events of 'Lightning Returns')

"You still…have one more journey left in you, but it us up to you to choose whether or not to accept it." Yeul said quietly and despite her change of heart, Lightning quickly found her former persona raising its head.

"Another one? How!" Lightning asked coldly with a glare so fierce it made both Yeul and Noel flinch slightly. Yes they were immortal now, but seeing how that was only because the pissed off woman before them had literally just killed god, they figured it was best to be cautious. "Haven't I done enough? Let me rest!"

"And we will, after you do just one more thing. Hell, like Yeul said it was optional, you don't even have to do it!" Noel said as Lightning felt her migraine worsen while the foreign voice continued ringing in her mind. "Look you're tired, sleepy, and just saved a universe in thirteen days with no actual sleep. We understand that you are pissed, and we would be too."

"Then. Why. Are. You. Here?" Lightning asked with a clipped tone through gritted teeth.

"Yeul's just been made aware of a much larger threat, bigger than even Bhunivelze that's threatening the multi-verse. Morally, we're obligated to tell our savior about this." Noel explained quickly as Lightning turned her glare to Yeul, silently demanding that she explain.

"Noel speaks the truth, a power so immense that nothing can defeat it." Yeul said quietly making Lightning's frown deepen.

"And you think I can? Why?"

"I think I can literally still hear god screaming." Noel deadpanned but was silenced by a stern glance from Yeul.

"You can't defeat it. Nothing can." Yeul said once more before raising a hand just as Lightning opened her mouth. "Which is why you must train the one who is synonymous with nothingness. A being that resides in one of Etros' lost worlds. If you train her, she may be able to face the threat the looms over us all. Please…you must see why we need you."

(LIAG Fun Fact: While Bhunivelze could be seen as the god of the FFXIII he did not create humans. A deity named Etro did, and she exists across all versions of FF.)

"Me?" Lightning questioned angrily showing that she really wanted no part in this. Finally, Noel had enough and threw his hands up into the air in frustration.

"Look, I get it! Believe me, we saw this coming. Turns out there are a lot of universes besides this one out there run by more gods you can think of. This is the thirteenth universe under Etros' control and even more are still being forged. We went to the seventh universe and the fifteenth universe to ask for a hand because we know you're tired and the champions of those universes are close to your power level. Both of those pretty boys said no and hell no respectively and before we could keep searching the portal opened up behind you."

"The girl's soul has chosen you to guide her." Yeul interrupted Noel's tirade. "Could you really, turn down your duty?" Yeul asked knowingly, knowing that Lightning's unwavering sense of duty…and newly developed messiah complex…were her weak points.

"God. Damn. It."

"He's gone." Noel said in a sing-song voice before shutting up when Lightning gave him a look that screamed that she would eradicate him if he kept talking.

"Send me…but mark my words when this is done, I will find those champions you mentioned. The ones of the fifteenth and seventh universes and make them pay." Lightning swore. "Even if they are dead by the time I'm done, I'm going to their afterlives and taking them down. Understand?"

"Got it." Noel said as Yeul nodded before Lightning released a sigh and allowed the portal to consume her. "You do know she wasn't kidding, right…uh...Gentiana was it?" Noel said suddenly as both he and Yeul turned to find an ebony-haired woman whom was garbed in a black and white robe. Her eyes we're closed and she giggled a bit while cover her mouth.

"I do…and when the time comes it will be amusing to watch." Gentiana said as her eyes cracked opened and revealed two green orbs that were filled with mischief. Elsewhere in two different universes, a certain blond SOLDIER and a black-haired King both shuddered.

(LIAG Fun Fact: Gentiana is the messenger of the gods in FFXV)

-Halkeginia: Tristain: Academy of Magic-

"Heed my summoning and bring forth my familiar…" Louise repeated for the eighth time quietly with her wand outstretched before her while the other students laughed loudly. Her head was bowed and her shoulders trembled. Tabitha had even turned her attention away from her book and looked at the pinkette with something akin to concern.

"I mean it's expected, from Zero…she should just disappear to be honest." Kirche said as Colbert placed a comforting hand on Louise's shoulder. Kirche's laughter stopped as Louise raised her head, the utterly broken expression on her face was enough to stop Kirche's teasing immediately. Tabitha's frown deepened as she glanced up Kirche whom glanced back at her. Shaking her head, Tabitha turned away from the taller girl showing that she believed the red-head had gone too far.

"That's enough, Louise…" Colbert said sadly as she squeezed her shoulder reassuringly. Part of had really hoped that his student could at least pull this important spell off. It would be hard without a familiar, but he'd try to make sure that she didn't give up on being a mage. However, at that moment, before Louise could even think of doing anything…

*CRASH*

*FLASH!*

BGM: Blinded By Light- Final Fantasy XII OST

Louise's eyes widened in shock as she released a startled gasp when a massive pink crystalized rose-shaped emblem covered the grounds while the sky darkened. The students erupted into hysteria as the emblem shone brighter while a massive armored figure climbed up from the emblem. Louise fell back to her rear in shock as Colbert quickly readied is staff in case the being was hostile. However, once the massive figured climbed to his feet he looked up towards the sky and knelt down. Following his sight, Louise's jaw went slack as the darkness parted, revealing the most beautiful woman she had ever laid her eyes upon. The sunlight behind the woman that was in stark contrast to the surrounding darkness only made her look more majestic.

*THOOOM!*

The ground tremebled as the armored titan split his massive spear in half and stabbed each end into the ground before leaping towards the woman. Louise dropped her wand and Colbert almost dropped his staff when the titan caught the woman gently before tossing her up as he transformed into a horse. The woman back-flipped on top of the horse and rode it as the horse ran on thin air towards its split weapon. Once they made it towards the giant weapon, the mysterious woman showed a feat of immense strength as she effortlessly picked up both ends with both hands. The horse chose that moment to leap back on to its hind-legs and release a loud neighing sound as the woman smiled while hundreds of rose petals floated around the yard.

"So they got you wrapped into this as well, old friend?" Lightning questioned with a smile as she looked down at Odin whom nodded his head slightly.

"Is that Louise's familiar!?"

"Who the hell–no–what the hell did she summon!?"

"A knight!?"

"Not a simple knight either, did you see that transforming golem!? I've never seen a magical feat like that. A Knight Commander at the very least, she has to be a square-class mage!"

"Wait, that hair, could she be Louise's mother?"

"There is no way anyone's mom can still look like that!"

Lightning was barely able to make out what the students were saying and was a bit miffed. They were using some sort of abandoned language that the Guardian-corps had used for relaying sensitive information on the battlefield. Lightning frowned as she glanced around the new world she found herself in before hopping off of Odin. The summon disappeared nearly immediately, transforming into a crystal that flew into her chest. Lightning made a mental note to check if she ended up with a L'Cie brand later. Her eyes quickly zeroed in on the gaping form of Louise and Lightning held back a gasp as she saw a younger version of her sister for a split second. Shaking her head to clear it of such thoughts, Lightning began walking towards Louise.

(LIAG Funfact: L'Cie brands and marks given to individuals that force them to complete a task. Complete the task and become a crystal, or don't and become a monster. The marks enable the bearers to cast magic)

She could tell instantly just whom her mission was focused on.

"I'm here." Lightning said as she extended a hand down towards Louise. The shorter pinkette couldn't recognize what strange language Lightning used, but it didn't matter. She understood exactly what Lightning meant, she could feel it in her very being. Grabbing, Lightning's hand tightly, almost desperately, Louise quickly pulled herself up before wrapping her arms around the woman tightly.

She couldn't help it.

Between the soul crushing despair she had felt moments prior followed by the shock, awe, and eventual pride proved too be too much of an emotional whiplash for her to handle and she just found herself crying into strange familiar's chest. Lightning released a tired sigh as she placed a hand on Louise's head. She already knew she had one hell of a journey ahead of them, they both did, she could feel it in her very being. Hopefully she could somehow succeed in teaching the girl whatever it was that she needed to learn.

BGM: END

"I will make you strong." Lightning murmured as she glanced down at Louise.

Bronze Trophy: Unlocked: Familiar of Zero

-Insert: victory fanfare: Final fantasy VII OST-

…Auto-saving…

RebuffX7: And that's that, hope I did okay! Feedback is much appreciated and thank you so much to those who answered the questions in the AN prior to this story's creation. I know exactly how to handle this now.

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Read and Review!

~RebuffX7