More than a Myth

Goodbye

Fang and Vanille stood at the front gate of P.L.R. Vanille asked, "Do you think we can trust this Cent? I know he and Serah are close and all, but isn't it a little risky?"
Fang responded, "Maybe, but he did what none of us thought of. He actually found out where Lightning was. I'd rather stick with him instead of trying to manage without his expertise in fighting and investigating. That's what PSICOM did, right?"
Vanille said, "I think so, but I'm not too sure on the investigating part."
"Whatever. We should –"
Fang's communicator beeped. She took it in her hand. The long, skinny, phone-like communicator was similar to the one she used to talk to Snow in Palumpolum three years ago. She flipped it open and brought it to her ear. "Yeah?"
Static. No person was speaking.
The hell? "Who is this? Hello?"
Vanille asked, "What's wrong?"
Fang heard a crackling voice. "Fang...soldiers...for us...get ready....Fight."
That was all Fang could hear between the static. "What? You're breaking up?"
It was clearer now, "Fang, it's Snow. There are some armored soldiers coming straight for New Bodhum. They're armed! We need to get ready for a fight!"
Fang dropped the communicator. "Vanille, let's go!"
Vanille ran after Fang, who started to run into the base. "What's going on?"
Fang said, "It looks like we're under attack!"
Fang thought, Why do I feel like they could have come from the other side of that portal? That guy, Noctis, better not have been lying to us about knowing Lightning.

Lightning couldn't believe it. Why was she forced to go to a damn ball? She wasn't even dressed up, not that she minded. She ignored all of the puzzled or appalled stares from the party guests. They were all snooty nobles anyway. Gladiolus put his arm around her shoulder to force her to the middle of the room. "Well, Light, don't you think you should stay for a little bit? Even Noctis over there was willing to attend for a short time."
Ignis said, "He doesn't like all the attention he gets from social events. That's why he didn't dress up; he'd rather get out as soon as possible without having to dance with anyone." Of course, Ignis knew he would be dancing with someone anyway. It was all part of the plan.
Prompto, on the other side of the room, addressed the king with a bow. "Good evening, Your Majesty. Having fun?"
Solis said, "Yes, but why so formal tonight?"
Prompto shrugged, "Dunno, just feel like being all fancy."
Noctis rolled his eyes. "Come on, I don't want to be here much longer. Let's get out of here."
Prompto glanced over at Gladiolus and Ignis. They were gradually working Lightning to the middle of the dance floor. Phase one, complete. Commencing phase two. Prompto grabbed Noctis by his shoulder. "Actually, we promised someone they could dance with you."
Noctis glared at him. "You did what?"
"Don't worry, you'll like it!"
"Prompto!" Noctis was forcing Prompto out of his way to the door. Prompto did the best he could to push Noctis over to Gladiolus and Ignis. Come on, Noct! This is all part of the plan!
Gladiolus and Ignis weren't having much luck either. They were almost to the dance floor, but Lightning was strong. It would take forever to get her there! Luckily her boot slipped, allowing the men to usher her faster. They met Prompto in the middle of the dance floor. With a final shove, Gladiolus and Prompto caused Lightning and Noctis to bump into each other. The two stared at each other awkwardly for a moment.
"Have fun!" Prompto declared before disappearing into the crowd of eager dancers. A song was starting.
"Wait a minute!" Lightning shouted.
Ignis put Noctis' hand on Lightning's waist. He took Lightning's and put it on Noctis' shoulder. "Don't forget your dancing posture."

With that, the boys left. The party goers around them started dancing. Noctis and Lightning stood there, in shock of what just happened. Lightning, ready to get out of this awkward situation, let go of Noctis to try and finally leave. She was stopped by Prompto. "Where are you going!"
Prompto pushed her back to Noctis, who caught her clumsily. Ignis set up their posture again. With a friendly push, Gladiolus got them to start moving with the rest of the dancers.
Noctis understood what was going on; It was a setup! His stupid ass friends planned this! They were going to make him dance with Lightning...which wasn't a bad idea.
Noctis began to move his feet in a gracious matter. He hated it, but he was used to dancing. Lightning, on the other hand, was foolishly slipping as she tried to figure out what she was doing. She moved in her own directions, ignoring Noctis's steps. "Let me lead!" He whispered.
"No!"
Noctis wished she wouldn't be so stubborn right now. When he went left, she went right. When she went back, she was supposed to go forward with him. It was starting to get frustrating. When the time came for Noctis to spin Lightning, she nearly toppled over another couple, who gawked at then with snobby eyes.
Lightning released Noctis's hand and began to walk away. Noctis just stood there, trying to comprehend what had happened. But she couldn't get away. Noctis's friends forced her back to Noctis, set them up to dance again, and kept them moving.
Lightning started to give in and follow his steps. She was starting to get it. She turned with Noctis, went the same direction, and even stopped fumbling around for a little bit. Noctis was proud. She had learned so quickly. "I didn't know you were a fast learner." He smiled down at her.
"Shut up."