16 The end of a chapter is just the beginning of a new one.

Her office is big with enough space to seat at least twenty people, with leather chairs and a big wooden desk strewn with papers and maps. Again I wonder what is going on? Her office is usually so neat. Not a paper out of place. Why does she need all these maps? I step closer and see dots all around the map and lines connecting some of them. This is a map of the Jewel Nation. Are all these dots the demon activities? There are so many. Its all across the Nation. When Cid sees where my attention is, she quickly rolls up the maps. I look at her with question, but she ignores me, looking between my friends.

"Now, do you mind telling me what exactly happened last night? Because early this morning I got a call from the military advisor herself, telling me that one of my Guardians has gone crazy attacking innocent civilians," She looks at me. "Then I tell her that it's impossible, because my Guardians took an oath to protect civilians and that they knew the punishment if they ever broke that oath."

Silence hang in the air. We knew exactly what would happen if we ever attacked innocent people. It goes against everything we are. You could get kicked out and thrown into prison, or executed depending on the severity of your crimes.

"It was Snow," Cinthea burst out, like it was an epic secret she just had to get off her chest. I glared at her and so did the rest of my friends. If I wasn't sane, I would have attacked her then and there, but that'll only strengthen her case against me.

"I know that," Cid snapped. "I already have all the information I need, but thank you for clearing the air and erasing any doubt any of us might have had about what happened last night," She said dryly. I almost burst out laughing, if I wasn't so scared that the vicious look on her face would be directed at me. Though maybe if I hit Cinthea hard enough, I can knock some common sense into her. Of course Cid knew everything already. It was a theoretical question and probably a test. It usually is.

"It was only after she was provoked. She did ask Lucy to leave, but unfortunately Lucy stubbornly insisted to stay, then proceeded to taunt Snow," Fay spoke up. I smiled gratefully at her. When she met my eye she gave a small smile and winked. I thought they would be mad at me after last night. I mean I did leave them behind.

"Yeah, and Lucy said some pretty mean things too. I think Snow had the right to react the way she did," Thea added. Cid looked between them. Her shoulders tense and hands clenched together. Cid seemed to not be sleeping well. Dark circles is visible under her eyes and she looks so tired, but she is keeping herself together for the rest of us.

"I don't care what 'right' she could have had. That is no excuse to lose control of her power. I gave her an ultimatum, either she get a control over her powers, or she's out," Cid glared at us each individually. I felt myself shaking. My mouth feels dry and I can't stop staring at Cid. This can not be happening. Please, please don't let this happen.

"But Captain-" Yuna stepped forward.

"Enough!" Cid slammed her hands on the desk. "Everyone, except Snow, get out. This getting nowhere. All this has only told me that you that you would sell out your friends to get out of trouble," Saying that, she glared at Cinthea-who at least had the decency to look ashamed. Though that's probably just for show. Everyone shuffled out, but not before I received some sympathy and hopeful looks. They probably think Cid will be lenient with me, but I don't get that same feeling.

"Now since your friends aren't here to speak for you. Answer me this; did you, or did you not lose control of your powers again?"

I stare at her silently. I feel like a little kid in a principle's office that did something wrong, but knows no matter how much you'd defend yourself, they will never be on your side. I guess that's why it hurts so much knowing what is going to happen and can't stop it.

"Does it matter?" I whisper. I hug myself, thinking maybe I can keep the tears from falling.

"Yes it matters!" She explodes, slamming her hands on the desk again. I flinch back, avoiding her eyes. "It matters, because I told to get your powers under control. I warned you what would happen, but your attitude is getting in the way of your success." My head snaps up. I stare at her incredulously. My attitude?

"What are you talking about? What attitude? I have been training for two months! I got control, but Lucy was determined to let me lose it," I shouted. I had enough. I trained my butt off. I worked hard to get it under control. Things don't start floating anymore, or when I get upset, doors don't start slamming shut. "I have done everything you have asked me and more. So what more do you want from me?"

"To stop being a danger to everyone!" She yelled, breathing heavily. I reel back and stare at her again. I have nothing to say to her. What on earth could one say to that? Instead I ask her directly:

"So your best solution is kicking me out?"

"You knew this would happen," She stares at me, devoid of emotion. Anger rises, hot and fast.

"Did I? Or is it just what Lucy's aunt wanted? Since when are you up their arses?" My voice raised at the unfairness of it all. Anger flashed through her eyes.

"You have until the end of the day to collect your things and go," She said coldly, but what I noticed her hands were shaking.

"Until how long?"

"Until further notice," She said curtly. I turn on my heels and swing the door open, but before I step outside, I turn back.

"You know, Cid, what hurts the most is, you were the first person to tell me not to fall under prejudice or to fall under rich and important people's thumbs, but now you are the one under their thumb," I step out but her voice stops me.

"Snow, don't talk about things you don't understand," I scoff. "Oh and another thing, it's Captain from now on. Understood?"

I glance back, keeping my face blank. "No, its not. You suspended me on someone else's orders, remember," I slam the door shut before she could say something else. When I look up, Yuna is standing there with a shocked expression on her face.

Why does she looked so shocked? She knew this would happen. You warned her about Cinthea. This is her fault after all. The voice whispered, and it hit me like a slap in the face. This was their plan. They knew what would happen if I lost control. I smirk.

"Why are you so surprised? Still sure your best friend doesn't want to undermine me?" I don't wait for her answer. I storm off to my room. I know I was petty, but honestly I don't care. The hurt on her face was worth it. Knowing that I was right about her, makes me a lot angrier that I thought. She and Lucy is working together, but I never saw this coming. Cinthea must've told her about the ultimatum, because there is no other way Lucy could have known. Except if she eavesdropped, but I doubt it, my gut tells me that I'm not wrong about the former. I start packing my clothes in suitcases, when a knock on the door startles me. I stomp over and swing the door open. I am not in the mood for people. Especially the person in front of me.

Prince Noctis Ragnor. I glare even harder when a grin starts to form on hid face. The kiss from last night jumps into my memory. Nope, not happening. I slam the door shut and back away from it like its on fire.

"Snow, come on. I'm hear to help," Somebody clears their throat.

"What he meant to say is, we're here to help," Another voice said on the other side of the door. Promto? A smile forms on my lips and I don't bother hiding it when I swing the door back open. Noctis, Prompto, Ignis and Gladiolus stand before me with equal amounts of disdain and smiles on their faces. I smirk.

"I hope that disdain on your faces is not directed at me,"

"What?" Promto stretches out the word. "Never," He grins and pushes past me, but that grin immediately disappears when he takes in the room.

"So, its true then. Captain Cid really suspended you?" Ignis walks into the room with a grim look on his face. I couldn't help but roll my eyes.

"News sure travels fast, don't it," I cross my arms, glaring at an empty spot on the ground.

'No, actually we were busy training, when Yuna burst through the doors,-" Ignis began.

"With almost the entire guard on her heels," Promto interrupted, grinning excitedly, but turned serious when Ignis gave him a look. "Sorry," He murmured, but winked at me when Ignis turned away.

"As I was saying, she looked rather panicked, and-"

"And then Noc began to panic, because he thought something else has happened to you," Promto smirked.

"Do you want to tell the story? Or shall I?" Ignis glared at Promto, clearly irritated. A pink blush appeared on Promto's cheeks and he laughs self-consciously.

"She told us what happened and asked us for help, since you're still angry at her," Ignis explained. I huff, but squash the annoyance. I am not angry at her, I am angry because I told her to be wary of Cinthea and she didn't believe me.

"So you're here to help me pack?" I look at each and every one of them. Noctis seems wary, but the rest seems eager to help and as much as I want to tell them I can do this on my own, I can really do with the help. To move everything to my grandmother is going to prove a real challenge.

"Good, I can do with the help," A few surprised looks were exchanged. "What? Did you really think I would argue?"

"We thought you would send us away, saying you don't need our help," Noctis spoke, studying me. I sigh and direct them to the suitcases.

"Look, I need all the help I can get. I'll pack my clothes, but the rest of the stuff needs to go into boxes. Which I don't have," I add as an afterthought.

Ignis and I will get a few for you, while Noc and Gladio help you here," Prompto swings his arms around Ignis' shoulder and laughs at something he said to his friend.

"Where do you need us?" Gladiolus asks in his deep voice. I almost jump out of my skin at the sound of it. I keep forgetting he is in the room.

"Uh... Perhaps you could help fold these clothes up and put it in the bag?" I pause. I really don't know how else they could help. Plus Noctis is the prince, what does he know about packing really? A few moments after that, he actually proved my point. He holds up a high waist pants and studies it. I sigh at the blank look on his face. I put down the tops I folded up and walk over to him.

"Here," I take the pants from him. "You take the two sides and fold them neatly over each other, like this-" I fold them so it no longer looks like a whole pants, but just the half of one. "Then you fold it again in half, so that it looks like a rectangle. Then repeat the action and fold it again so it looks like a square," I show him the end product. "Did you follow?"

"Yeah. Thanks," He looked embarrassed. A pink blush blooms on his cheeks and I had the sudden urge to... What? Comfort him? I almost laugh at the idea. He is a prince, how is he going to be king if he can't even fold clothes? But instead I say:

"Don't worry about it. Just do most of the things like I did this one, but if you aren't certain, just ask me," When I turn, I find Gladiolus staring at me with a soft smile on his lips. What is that look for? I pack the rest of the clothes in one of the suitcases on my bed, while the boys use the other suitcase to pack clothes in. It wasn't long until Ignis and Promto showed up with boxes.

"How did you get so many?" I ask, staring at the couple boxes. Why they think I'm going to need so many is crazy.

"We know a place or two," Promto said, winking.

"Alright, and I suppose you took one of the cars at the palace?"

"Of course, we had to transport them as quick as possible," Ignis looked around and his eyebrows went up at Noctis folding the clothes, but when I catch Promto grinning and opening his mouth, I braced myself.

"Looking good, bro. It seems you've got the art of folding clothes down. Maybe you could give me a lesson sometime,"

"Yeah, and even then you won't get it right," Noctis shot back, putting the top he folded away.

"You never know, I mean if you could learn such a delicate art, like folding clothes, I bet I could learn it too," He winks at Noctis and earns a blue jacket thrown at his face.

"There, practice on that," Promto stares at the jacket for a moment, then grins and shrugs and, to the astonishment of Noctis, folds the jacket neatly up.

"How do you like me now?" He laughs and puts it away. Noctis stares at his best friend while the rest of his friends laughs at his expression.

"Wow Promto, didn't think you like folding clothes so much, maybe I should hire permanently to fold them for me from now on. Who knows, maybe you'd even like washing the dishes," I comment making the others burst out laughing.

"Yeah, then he can wear one of the maids dresses. Think how sexy he'll look in that," Noctis jokes, making the others howl of laughter. I chuckle at the picture in front of me. Always so joyful, like nothing on this planet could touch them.

"Nah, he'll the scare the ladies off, making them think there is a demon in their house," Gladiolus jokes, making them laugh again, then they move on to some story where they snuck into the palace kitchen when they were little and scared the living daylights out of the cook, making her think there is a demon in her kitchen. I shake my head at their antics and move into the bathroom with a box to collect my stuff leaving them to their chattering laughter.

I collect everything and put them in a box, tears pooling in my eyes. Why am I crying? Maybe it'll be over in a week. She never did give me a total number of suspension days. I laugh, yeah right, It usually lasts months. What on earth am I going to do for months? I can't not train for months. All my hard work and training will go down the drain if I don't practice my skills. My breath speeds up and anxiety builds up in my throat. How can this be happening? How could I have let this happen?

It's that Cinthea and Lucy's fault, the voice whispers. This never would have happened if they weren't so selfish. You should be proud, they are jealous and threatened by you. You are the best.

Yes, I am. I shouldn't be crying. They are the ones that should be crying and shaking in fear. I am more powerful than they ever could have hoped to be. I glance in the mirror and is shocked to find my eyes glowing a bright green. The blue almost completely missing. I stumble back from the mirror.

No, no, no. I clutch my head. Get out of my mind! I hear something crack and lift my head to see the a crack in the mirror. My breath starts to race and I can feel my heart galloping at a thousand miles per hour. Tears push their way to the surface. Why can't I just be a normal person with powers? I sink to my knees, covering my head with my arms.

"Snow?" Someone calls and steps into the bathroom. My head whips up and I'm surprised to see Yuna enter. She crouches in front of me, concern shining in her eyes, but it doesn't overshadow the regret and apology on her face.

"Snow, what are you on the floor? What's wrong?" I wipe my eyes and stand up.

"Nothing." I turn my back and with shaky hands begin to pack my stuff into a box.

"Snow, don't do this, please." I felt a hand on my shoulder. I swung around, clenching my fists.

"Don't do what, Yuna? Turn my back on you like you turned your back on me? You didn't stand up for me when I needed you the most. You just stood there while she spread those lies about me!" Tears blur my vision.

"I know, and I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." She steps closer. I step back and shake my head.

"Do you now see what I'm saying?" She sighs, looking down.

"Yes, yes I do. She's not the friend I always knew. The look in her eyes told me she's someone entirely different and I'm sorry I didn't see it sooner. If only I did, I could have stopped her, but I didn't know she switched off your alarm and I also didn't hear the whole thing she told Cid. Cinthea planned it perfectly, sending me to give something to her friend as a favor. I really am so sorry. I will regret it for the rest of my life for not being there when you needed me." She sniffed, tears rolling down her face. All of my anger vanished in a instant. I step closer and pull her into a hug. We stay that way for a while, before she pulls back with determination on her face.

"I will get you back in here. Cid will realize her mistake and until then I will work on her," She shakes her head. "This will not be the last time you set foot in this place. You will be back training with us in no time." Her smile wavers a bit, but she otherwise keeps it strong. I nod, not quite believing her, but I don't want to break her heart.

"Well, for now I think I need to keep packing, before she kicks me out forever." I give her a small smile and keep moving my things into boxes. After a moment she helps me pack the remaining things and we walk out of the bathroom. I stop cold when I survey what's left of the room. Where my things stood before, was now only bare space. No evidence left behind that I might have once lived here. The place seems so foreign to me now. Just then Noctis stepped inside.

"That's everything. Are you ready?" He gazed at me with soft eyes, like he knew what I was feeling.

"Yeah, this is the last of them. Did you carry al these boxes by yourself to my grandmother's house? That seemed quite like hard labor. He laughed.

"No, we loaded them into the Regalia. Besides, you never told us where your grandmother lives." I stared at him funny, then shared a look with Yuna.

"Uh, what's a regalia?" I asked. He grinned.

"You'll see," He motioned for us to follow him. "Come on." He walked out of the room, leaving us standing here with boxes in our hands. I glanced down at the box in Yuna's hands and grinned.

"Some gentleman he is." I said dryly making her laugh. Like magic he appeared again, smiling ruefully.

"Sorry 'bout that." He walked over and took the box out of my hands, then nodded at the box in Yuna's hands, "You can put the box down, I'll come collect it as soon as I can." I smiled and before Yuna can reply, I took the box out of her hands.

"No need. These are my stuff anyway. Thanks for helping to carry the boxes, though." He blinked and laughed a little, pink dots appearing on his cheeks.

"No problem." He made a point in standing aside for us to lead the way. I stepped outside of my room and looked into the hall. No one was waiting for me with sneers on their faces or smug expressions. I walked down the hall and turned a couple of times, before I reached the staircase. I sigh, so that's why nobody was in the hallway. Everyone was down here, waiting. Conversations ceased the moment they spotted me. I felt like a deer caught in headlights.

"Ignore them. Just keep walking and keep your head up. You've got nothing to be ashamed of." Noctis whispered in my ear. But he was wrong. To be kicked out of the Guardian Core, no matter what the reason, is always something to be ashamed of. Even though I wasn't kicked out, just suspended, but to me it means the same. But to them... to them it wouldn't seem like it. I've worn so many masks, by now I'm surely an expert. I keep my head high and walk down the stairs, meeting everyone's eye as we pass. No one could meet my eye.

"See, told you, you couldn't get too cocky." Lucy stepped into my path with Cinthea right behind her. I glared.

"Get out of the way, please." I bit out. She smiled wider.

"Oohhh, now I get a please," She huffed a laugh, "I should have had you on your knees along time ago." I was ready to lunge at her when Yuna stepped in front of me.

"You have done enough damage as it is, Lucy. So if I were you I'd take a step back, right now, because if she were to attack you for being such a pain in the ass, I sure as hell won't stand in her way." Lucy gaped at her and so did I. I could see Cinthea staring at her with wide eyes, not quite believing what's happening. I heard a snort behind me and saw Noctis not quite being able to hide his laugh. His whole body was shaking and his eyes dancing with amusement. Then he shook his head and stepped around me and Yuna. When he looked at Lucy, all traces of laughter were gone and replaced by something that almost looked like disgust.

"You heard the lady, move." He said in a low voice. Lucy gulped and silently moved out of the way. She didn't meet his or Yuna's eyes, but mine she met head on and glared. I could only roll my eyes. Now she is definitely not worth my time. We stepped out and my eyes nearly popped out of my head. There parked next to the sidewalk is a sleek, out-of-the-ordinary convertible, that much I can tell, but I've never seen anything like it.

"What is that?" I blurted out.

"This is the Regalia. Top speed 300 meters per kilometre, space for six people. All new sunroof and it's bulletproof, power-proof and it can drive in any type of circumstances, except underwater," Ignis pushes up his glasses. "I'm still working on that, and to get it to fly." He adds it as an afterthought.

"No worry man. You're the smartest guy I know. You'll figure it out man." Promto threw his arm around Ignis' shoulders grinning at him. I shifted my gaze to the car in front of me. It was black with no roof and I could see the six seats. Two in front like a normal car, three seats at the back and one behind them. There was also a big enough boot for all my boxes to go into. The car had six tires instead of the usual four. It really was a sight to see.

"And you designed this?" I glance at Ignis. He laughed nervously.

"Well, it took me a long time. It's all I've been working on." Memories of us training filled my head where he would sit with papers and concentrate on his designs. So that's what it is. I always wondered what was so important on those papers that he wouldn't even let me see it. Not that I'm special or anything, but its not like I'm going to steal it and make it my own. I barely know what's going on on that papers.

"Well, its very impressive." Yuna gazed at it with admiration.

"Thank you." Ignis blushed.

"Here, let me take that." Promto stepped forward and took the box from my hands. He walked over to the car and put in on top of another box.

"We'll probably have to put the roof up if we want to keep her things from getting lost." He told the others. They all nodded and Ignis stepped toward the driver seat and pushed a button. From the boot the roof slid out and into place, as well as the windows on the doors.

"Come one, climb in. We're taking you home." Ignis glanced at me. I nodded, but before I walked to the car, I glanced back at the Guardian Core building. I wonder if I'll ever get to go inside and train with them again. Cid said it was only temporary, but who knows how long I have to wait before I can be a Guardian again. I shake my head, willing the tears away. I can't give up now, or lose hope. This is all I ever wanted, all the work I did was so that I could become the leader. The captain. This can't be the end. It just can't. With one last look I walk to the car, but saw Yuna wasn't following.

"Aren't you coming?" I ask her, she shakes her head.

"Can't. We still have training. I already missed the morning session and Cid said there's an afternoon session that we all have to attend," She steps closer. "I get the feeling it's something big, but I can't figure out what." Panic enclosures by heart. Big? What kind of big?

"Don't worry. Cid wouldn't intentionally put us in danger. We're just trainees. There are guardians who is trained to deal with these stuff. We'll be just fine, I'm sure." Yuna gave me a brave smile, but I could see through it. Her hands are shaking, but when she sees me staring she tucks it behind her back. I shake my head. This is her job, she chose to do this. I just wish I was close enough to protect her.

"Just be careful okay. If there is danger and you see you're outnumbered, you run the other way. You understand me?"

"But..."

"No! No buts, like you said, there are other trained guardians to handle this and right now, you're not one of them."

"I will be. Besides, you can't tell me what to do, I'm older." She smirks and I roll my eyes.

"Just promise me." She laughs.

"Go!" She pushes me toward the car and when I look back, she's already at the door waving, before disappearing inside. Sighing, I move toward the car. She'll never promise me the one thing that I ask of her. Is that such a bad thing? The little voice came again, she chose thiss, it whispers. Maybe, I answer, but that doesn't mean she needs to get herself killed.

Before no time, we park in front of my grandmother's house, my childhood home.

"Its a nice ride, hey. You don't even feel like you're moving." Promto pats the car and smiles.

"Careful with the paint." Ignis pushes his arm away, checking to see if there is any prints left behind. Noctis comes around, opening my door for me.

"You okay? You were awfully quiet on the ride here." He watches me with concern. I nod, then shake my head.

"Yes? No? All I know is, I will be." His concern doesn't fade, in fact he looks even more concerned, if that's possible. The door swings open and my grandmother steps out. Eyeing the boxes that's being loaded out, she steps closer.

"Welcome gentlemen. You can put those boxes in the room up the stairs second one on the left, if you boys don't mind."

"Not at all, Snow's grandmother. We love to help" Promto pipes up making the others snork.

"When you actually do something, then maybe we can believe that statement." Noc teases him. They each start picking up the boxes and move toward the house.

"You don't look surprised to see me, grandmother." I tell her the moment the others are out of earshot. Sighing, she shakes her head.

"No, Cid warned me she suspended you and that you're coming home." I scoff.

"That's thoughtful of her. Just wished she would've done the same for me before she actually suspended me."

"We all have our reasons for doing things."

"Well those reasons are none other than being under someone else's thumb." My grandmother looks at me with depth in her eyes that makes me think she knows more than I do.

"What do you know that I don't?"

"Nothing more than you do, my dear. Come, I've prepared tea." She moves towards the house and I am forced to follow her. I hate that people don't tell me anything, then I end up being the bad guy to try and force it out of them.

Noctis and his friends ended up staying for tee, but they didn't stay long, saying there is still some stuff they need to do and after they left I went to my room. I didn't have the energy to unpack just yet. An idea have been forming on the way here and I can't get it out of my head. Just because they kicked me out of my home, doesn't mean I must give up fighting. I'll train some other way, a way that doesn't need rules. I just can't get caught. I move towards one of the boxes. The one with the black mark on it. I open in and take out the black ensemble. I completely forgot about this piece. I got it for a costume party a few months ago, but never wore it since I was so focused on my training. I quickly pull of my clothes an put it on. Looking in the mirror, I turn around. My head is covered with a black hoodie that's stitched to the the bodice with long sleeves draping over my hands. It comes with a coat that reaches my middle that I button up to cover my cleavage. My black skirt sits just above my knees, but not too tight that I won't be able to move freely in it. With it comes knee-high boots, that completes the look. I turn. This will help me to blend in perfectly with the shadows. I quickly change back into regular clothes and hide the ensemble under my bed. I'll find a better place for that later. Right now, I'm too exhausted to think about what I have to do with it, or what I might do tomorrow when I go out for the first time. The thought scares me and excites me at the same time.