So hey guys!

It's been awhile since my last update, and it seems real life is determined to swamp me. Since I know you guys would rather not hear the details about that, I'll stick to the (main) reason it's been awhile since I've written (and posted) anything.

I'm going to assume that most, if not all of you guys, have watched the new trailers for Lightning Returns. As excited as I am for the game itself, I can't help but feel a little robbed by what's been shown to us, because Square and I had so much of the same plot ideas running through our heads (Serah lookalike, 'evil' Noel - though in my case he would've simply landed in the 'wrong' side of the conflict) that I'm not even sure I want to finish now. It's a little discouraging to know that very similar plot points are being used, and I don't want to appear I'm trying to 'rip off' Square in any way at all.

That's the real reason for the long dry spell, and I'd love to hear what you guys think, to be honest. If continuing is something you guys would like to see (despite, from what I can see, the similarity in plot so far), either drop me a PM or a review or something (they're much appreciated and loved) and I'll get my fingers working on finishing Chapter 5 and onwards, as busy as my schedule is. I wouldn't be able to guarantee a regular update schedule, but it would solidify this as something I know I would finish.

Just so I don't make this update completely and utterly useless otherwise, the opening segment of Chapter 5 has been completed and edited, so I will leave that up as a note to what I have yet to finish.

Much love to my reviewers as usual, for providing me with the support and encouragement to make it anywhere close to the great enjoyment this site has provided me: Dustii, H-thar, LawMan, gkmader, Master of Games, and Mylaervain.

Chapter Five: (Almost) Never Afraid Now

Nelde, the Akaneia Mines—51X AF

Back pressed to the cold wall, Lightning tried to force her heart rate to settle; she could feel it jumping in her throat and she tried to tell herself to calm down. You're not a grunt straight out of the academy—you know how to deal with this. So deal with it. Sharp determination edged through the twinges of unease; she would get to the bottom of whatever the mess she'd gotten herself in was, and the thought of finally unearthing, so to speak, facts she wanted to know made her tighten her grip on the weapon in her right hand.

The sound of metal against metal resumed.

In the dimness, Lightning could make out two things. One; that whoever it was was using the lift barely six feet away from her to navigate through the mine, and two; that whoever it was, also wasn't very skilled at trying to hide their presence. Whether they wanted to or not was a completely different matter, but it wasn't important at the moment—what was important was that she found someone who was willing to "cooperate" with her.

She could now make out the sound of a pair of boots against the metal grating; from the sounds of it, whoever it was on the platform was either itching to get moving, or very nervous. Preferably the latter, but who knows? Crouching into the shadows, Lightning watched the metal lift slowly draw level with the stone floor. There was a small pause, only interrupted by the scuffle of a pair of boots and the quiet mutter of a curse, before a dim light flared into life. Narrowing her eyes, Lightning raised a hand to shield them from the sudden glare, though it wasn't bright. Flickering on and off a few times, she heard the man mutter mutinously again. She couldn't make out all the words, but from the gist of things, she guessed he wasn't happy about being stuck with the last choice in equipment.

Bad news for you; can't say the same for me, though.

From the way the soldier moved, she could see that he was new. No stealth whatsoever—would you ever hear a professional cursing on the field? But if this made her job easier, she wasn't going to complain. Pressing her footfalls carefully, so that her own boots made no sound against the cold stone, she silently inched her way towards him, muscles in her right arm tense to strike at the first opportunity.