"Snow, look out!!" I shouted as the bastard was looking around at the place instead of where he was going. I jumped out of the aerobike and he crashed into a wall.

"AHH!!" He fell out as he and the bike fell. I sighed; for as cocky and optimistic as he was, he was an idiot...

I helped him up and glared at him, "Gee, I hope that hurt... What were you thinking? Driving in here like some maniac and even crashing?"

"Hey, I wasn't planning to crash." He chuckled a bit which I was about to lose it. I scoffed, rolling my eyes.

"Well, what are we doing here in the first place?" I asked, changing the subject before I snapped his neck.

"...You heard Gadot right?" He asked, suddenly being serious.

"Yeah, he said something about a miss, right?" I put a hand on my hip, and looked up at him. His backstory and the reason why he came here was what I was truly what I wanted to know.

"My wife, future wife that is." He punched the bridge of his nose, "She's a Pulse L'Cie and was taken by the Fal'Cie. That's why we're here."

"Well, that's sweet of you, but don't go all reckless just because of that, okay hun?" I asked, walking forward, "I wanted to protect someone too... Although, he might never want to see or talk to me again."

"Who?" He asked and I stopped in my tracks. This fucking guy was the reason I was separated from Hope. I felt for him, I really did, but he was so not sensitive at all towards how other people felt, which is why I don't like men. The only sensible one was Hope.

"I don't need to tell you anything." I said coldly and walked further on ahead. He followed me of course.

"Hey, I thought this was a heart to heart chat." He said and I scoffed.

"Well, you thought wrong." I told him, looking around, "Let's just find your girlfriend and go."

"Geez, looks like the GC's had more than one cold person..." He said that and I looked at him with a glare.

"Shut it."

"See? I was right..." He sighed and looked at me, "Even that glare is icy cold."

"Snow..." I warned venomously and my message was delivered. Finally I could think without him yapping on.

***

We both came to a room. It was far different from what the other rooms were in; we actually heard growls and even howls in this room.

"That sounds like trouble. Don't do anything stupid." I told him.

"Since when have you become leader?" He asked, most likely pissed off at me.

"Since never, asshole. I was just saying you should be careful in case enemies are near." I tried my best to ignore him, but it was hard to.

He sighed, "Don't worry, Serah... Your hero is on his way." I rolled my eyes; some hero. I saw something a green switch guarded by dog like creatures.

"Look at that..." I told him, summoning my engine blade in case.

"What are they guarding?" He asked and I shrugged, unsure myself.

"Let's take them out and find out. It's gotta be important since these guys are keeping watch over it." I told him and he nodded in agreement. We fought the devil things and examined the switch. It turned a orange-yellow color and several lights around us turned on, matching the color of the switch.

"Uh... Did that do something?" I asked and he shrugged.

"Maybe? Who knows?" Just as he said that, several structures of staircases and walk ways moved around. The floor glowed a bright red. A platform appeared and floated just above the the highest point. We hopped on it and it took us to another floor and room.

"Ugh, where's this girl? We almost check everywhere it feels like..." I said, more or less complaining about this.

"Look, another one of those things." He said and I saw more of those hounds.

"And more guard dogs too." I summoned back my blade and he smirked, pounding his fist together.

"Bring 'em on." He got ready to fight them. His battling style was different, he would use his bare hands and hand grenades. I don't know how he was about to hold up against the other soldiers.

After the fight, another of those platforms appeared just up ahead. We jumped up on it and Snow chuckled, "Hang on, baby. Your hero's on his way!"

Again, with the hero stuff... Ugh, I had to save my thoughts for whatever sanity I had left.

***

After we landed on the ground, things seemed more quiet which was strange. I heard strange voices in my head, which tripped me out.

'It's hopeless, no point to continue on...'

'Save us from our fate...'

'I don't want to be a Fal'Cie slave...'

I held my head and it was pounding. The ring in my ears were quieter at least, "Ugh..."

Snow asked me something I couldn't make out as the ringing stopped. The headaches were still there. I even missed what Snow said. Until he said my name, "Maria?"

"Y-yeah, sorry. What did you say?" I asked, rubbing my forehead so it could possibly go away.

"I was asking if you were okay." He asked and I scoffed; he actually cared.

"Yeah, just a headache." I couldn't tell him I heard voices. I'm sure that would result in him thinking I'm crazy. I looked around the place and we heard screeching and moaning of sorrow and pain. I directed my sights to the source.

I gasped; those who made the noises were those monstrous beings. I've seen pictures of these in my mythology class.

"What are those things?" Snow asked and I gulped, this could mean trouble for us.

"Their Cie'th, L'Cie who failed. When a Fal'Cie slave doesn't do what the Fal'Cie told told them what to do, they turn into these monsters." I wonder if they were the voices in my head. I noticed that they were crowding two people. My heart stopped when I found out who it was.

"HOPE!!!" I rushed in and killed whatever was trying to hurt him and the redhead. Thank goodness she was there with him. We fought off the Cie'th. Hope used his boomerang and Vanille had... an antler with thrones on it? The thrones were attached to the tips of the antler by cords, heck I don't know what it was. We finished of the bad guys were gone. I checked on Hope for any injuries or bruises.

"Hope, are you okay?" I asked cupping his cheek and he hugged me.

"Sis... Why did you leave me?" He asked me, which made he feel bad.

"Hope, I'm sorry." I told him, hugging him back. I whispered to him, "I was technically brought here against my will."

"What are you two doing here?" Snow asked the two and I pulled away from Hope. Vanille looked at Hope who was glaring at Snow.

She nervously laughed, "Well, we came here for Maria. We were worried about her."

"She is my sister after all." Hope said and hugged me, which I didn't expect. I pushed him away playfully and wrapped an arm around his shoulders. He smiled at me.

"Oh, this was the one you were willing to protect?" Snow asked me and I nodded.

"Yep, my little brother!" I giggled and rustled Hope's hair, which made him pout.

"Makes sense." He chuckled, "Y'all stay here, once I find Serah, we're out off here. You'll be home in time for dinner."

"Wait!" Vanille called after Snow. He stopped in his tracks and turned to her. "Who's Serah?"

"My bride-to-be. As I explained to Maria, she's a L'Cie." He told her and she gasped, covering her mouth. I'm only assuming that she felt sorry for her. "You stay close to Maria and stay low."

"Why would you help a L'Cie? They're the enemy!" Hope shouted, "You would rather help an enemy and not..." He whimpered, "and not... That's insane!" I realized he was still in mourning for mom.

"Maybe it is..." Snow tsked and ran on ahead, "But gotta do something right?"

"I can't believe him..." I said murderously and clenched my fist. If you couldn't tell, I was upset about that fiancé. "That bastard is going to get himself killed."

"Is Snow frustrating?" Vanille asked and I shrugged, crossing my arms.

"Try annoying." I looked at the place he left us.

"Why is this happening to me?" Hope asked himself. I looked at him and he sat on his knees. "We were just visiting Bodhum! ...and he wants to help a L'Cie?"

"Should we follow him?" Vanille asked and Hope pounded the ground.

"I'd rather go to Pulse!"

I sighed, "As much as I don't want to, we might have to in order to escape this place." I looked ahead and Snow came back. I groaned and whispered to them, "And trust me, I don't want to go with him."

"Hey guys." He obviously waved at us and I looked away from him.

"Hey!" Vanille smiled at him and she knelt down to Hope. "Come on, Hope. You and your sister need to talk to him. If you don't, you'll regret it forever."

I sighed and helped Hope up, "She's right, we'll be by your side. This time for sure!" He looked at me when I said that.

"Promise?"

"Promise with all my heart!"

***

We went through more of those puzzles and eventually a platform appeared. I keep hearing those voices. Some were saying the phrases I already heard and there was a deep voice, saying something else.

'You're next, girl. Come closer to me... You and your brother...'

"Maria!" Hope snapped me out of my trance.

"Whoa, what?" I held my head. It was hurting again, this was not normal.

"You zoned out, are you okay?" He asked me and I nervously laughed.

"I have another headache..."

"Another?" Hope asked

"Yeah, your sister has been getting headaches right before we found you two." Snow told the two and Vanille hummed in response.

"What's been happening to cause that?" The red head asked me and I shrugged.

"I had this weird ringing sounds in my ears, both left and right." I rubbed my ears. I couldn't let them know I was going crazy.

"Ah, someone's talking about you." Snow said and I rolled my eyes.

"That's just an urban legend, Snow. It's not real-"

"Serah!" He jumped off the platform and I growled, he wasn't listening to me... again! I was about to tell him off when I saw two girls with rose pink colored hair and a black guy with an Afro and chocobo chick. Snow rushed to the one with the side ponytail and held her hand.

"Is that... my hero...?" She faintly asked and the other pinkette growled.

"Let's get you home." Snow smiled at her.

"Hands off, I'm taking her home!" The pinkette glared at him, swatting his hand away. A closer look at the two pinkettes, I realized they were sisters, or at least I assume...

"Sis, I-"

"I'm not your sister!" The older sibling shouted at him, "You couldn't protect her! It's your fault she-"

"Save us..." The younger said.

"Serah?" Older asked the younger.

"Y-you can save us..." Serah told all if us, "...Protect... Cocoon..."

"Protect Cocoon? Serah, was that your focus?" She asked Serah and I noticed her get up. It was GC, meaning she was a soldier.

"I'll protect it! I'll save everyone!" Snow said to Serah and Lightning was trying to ignore him, that I understood.

"Somehow, I'll make things right." soldier girl said to her.

"You just relax." Snow smiled down at Serah, who smiled back.

"Thank you..." Serah started to glow which startled Snow and the soldier girl. She floated away from them and put her hands near her face. The light coated her body as the crystal stones surrounded her. The light dimmed and it was replaced with crystal. A crystallized tear fell from her eye and into Snow's hand. I stared in awe and amazement at what I saw.

She had fulfilled her focus. But at what cost?

"Why'd she turn to crystal?" Vanille asked as she and Hope stared in the same amazement, same as me.

"L'Cie who fulfill their focus turn into crystal and gain eternal life." Hope said and Afro nodded.

"Just as legends say..." He said, looking at Serah.

"She's just sleeping, according to legend. She'll wake." I said to them and Snow looked at me hopeful she will come back. I can see it in his eyes.

"You're right..." He looked at Serah, "Serah, sweet dreams." My heart dropped for the two. I sadly sighed and Hope hugged me.

"Thanks, Hope." I whispered softly to him as a tear escaped.

"'Sweet dreams'!? She's not sleeping!" We looked up to see the soldier girl shoving Afro out of the way to get to Snow. She grabbed his collar, "Serah's... She's..." She clenched her teeth and pushed Snow back.

"She's alive!" Snow said, "It's just as legend says; L'Cie gain eternal life and they will come back! It's going to be the same with Serah! She's not dead!" He turned to the us then back at soldier girl. "Serah's my bride-to-be, I promised I would be here's forever! I don't care how long I have to wait-" he was punched punched in the jaw to where he fell to the ground.

"Open your eyes and face reality!" She whimpered and I sighed. I looked down at Hope, who was still hugged me as he silently cried. I know it was for a different reason. I tried to comfort him, rubbing his back.

The whole vestige shook violently and I covered his head with the crook of my neck. My body was a shield at the moment as rumble and debris came from the ceiling. Thick pink ropes came through the walls.

"What's going on?!" Vanille looked around.

"A Sanctum strike!" Sazh said, getting his guns out in case. I gasped as my headaches were worse. I held my head and my ears rang loud.

'Our maker shall be restored... Bhunivelze will return...'

'All hail Lord Bhunivelze!'

"AHH!!!" I screamed in pain as the rumbling came to a stop. Hope looked up at me.

"Sis!?" He asked me but it was hard to hear. I panted and let go of Hope, falling to my knees. Afro and Vanille helped me up keeping me standing as my arms were around there shoulders.

"T-those headaches again..." I cringed at the pain.

"This is not normal for you, sis." Hope frowned in worried and I stood straight, feeling the headaches subside for now.

"I'm fine... It feels like it's dissipating..." I said and Afro hummed in response.

"You still need to take it easy." He told me and I nodded. He had that good dad aura, which was the opposite aura of my dad.

"T-thanks, dude..." I smiled and a door opened just a head of us. Out of my own instinct, a bad feeling was in the pit of my stomach but something was beaconing me towards the opening. Strange enough, the winged Cie'th, as well as the Cie'th below them, did not attack me as I walked on by. What was happening?

The six of us came to a dark room- the heart of the vestige. There before us was the Fal'Cie lay sleeping.

"Serah's a crystal now. You got what you wanted, now let her go!" Snow yelled at the ancient being. However, he remained silent as stars. The blonde fell to his knees. "Please, turn her back! I'll be your L'Cie instead!" Still no response or reactions.

"You go on begging." The soldier girl said, drawing her blade and attacked it. "Like this thing gives a damn what we want!" One of her attacks recoiled off the shell of it's protection. She stumbled back.

"Lightning!" Snow called to her and she panted in anger and rage.

"It's this thing's fault the purge started, and it's people who are dying. That's exactly why this thing needs to die!" She was about to attack it and the whole room lit up, blinding us. It was waking up. My ears rang yet again but this time my head wasn't pounding.

'Foolish humans... You will learn what suffering truly is!' I heard that voice and I looked up to see the Fal'Cie looking straight at me.

"Was it you that was talking?" I asked it and it roared in rage. Several L'Cie brands appeared in holograms which mad me gasped.

"Maria, get the kids to safety!" Snow told me and I nodded.

"Hope, run!" I turned to him and he dashed off with me and Vanille. A barrier stopped us as it appeared  in front of us. "Dammit, why is this happening?!"

"That's it! We're dead!" Hope panicked, "You're dead, she's dead, everyone's dead!"

"Or at least branded!" Afro said and Hope whimpered in fear. I glared at him and he nervously laughed.

We engaged in battle with that thing. It was the hardest thing I fought ever, even harder than a behemoth in the Gapra Whitewood! It's weak spot was on its chest- a crystal. Figures. Well, we attacked it until it cracked. It flashed brightly.

'Young Persefoni, you have finally came home...' this voice was different, 'Now except your fate as a L'Cie!'

"What?" I opened my eyes and I looked around. It was dark yet again and the other five were with me. We floated in the air and a crystal was in front of us.

"Where are we?" Lightning asked and I gulped, not knowing that answer. A light shined from the crystal and tendrils of weird ribbons wrapped around Snow, Afro, Vanille, and Lightning. I gasped and flew in front of Hope and held out a hand to summon my blade.

'Except! Except your fate!' the voice said again and the ribbons wrapped around my arms, pulling me from Hope. Tears fell from my eyes as I looked back at my baby brother.

"NO!! HOPE!!" I shouted out and struggled as ribbons wrapped around Hope. There was a big burst of light and it turn my attention to the a being. Not just any being, a god. The god who created Gran Pulse was in front of us. The god stared at me and spoke in a language I understand.

"'You are now my L'Cie, forever shall you serve me... Including the one bringer.'" I spoke for it and a stinging sensation went through my hand. I gasped and teared up, biting my lip from a pained shout. He let go of us and began to fall. The pain in my hand was getting worse as flickering images of a monster roaring in the place I wanted to go to. Cocoon's capital; Eden.

I quickly grabbed an unconscious Hope by his wrist and pulled him into a hug, slowly losing consciousness myself. I faded off into happier times

***

Ten years ago...

"S-sissy...? A-are you awake...?" I heard from up above, on the top bunk. I groaned and looked to a four year old silverette peeking over the edge at me.

"Hopey, what's wrong?" I asked and he hopped down to my bunk. He crawled under my covers and curled up to me, crying. "Aw... shh... it's okay..."

"N-no I-It's not!" He cried.

"Hope, what's going on?"

"I-I had a nightmare! There was this big evil monster threatening to eat you, mommy, and daddy!" I sighed at this and cuddled with him.

"It's okay, Bubby. I'll scare that monster away! I'll get my wooden sword and defend against it, that way you won't have to be scared!"

He sniffed and looked up at me with those oh so innocent all be it melting, beady green eyes, "R-really?"

"Of course. You can sleep with me so the monsters will stay away from you!" I smiled at him and he grinned.

"Thank you, sissy! I love you!" He hugged me tightly and laid his head down on my chest.

"Love you too, Hopey. Good night..." I smiled and stroked his hair. I don't remember falling asleep that night; those monsters might have came back to get him.