History Awesome / LightningReturnsFinalFantasyXIII

* The entire final battle itself. ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' has always been known for its incredibly epic final boss fights, but this one truly takes the cake. [[spoiler: Rather than fighting to bring down a tyrant or save the world from destruction, the world has ''already been destroyed'': now all the souls of humanity (and by extension, the very concept of human existence) are on the line, being held hostage at the whims of the god of the universe, and unlike any other ''Final Fantasy'' game, [[OneManArmy only Lightning]] stands in his way. He also has [[FourIsDeath four forms]], and each one becomes stronger than the last which means this is [[AvertedTrope not a case]] of a ClippedWingAngel battle.]] Oh, and did we mention the AwesomeMusic and the VisualEffectsOfAwesome too?

-->[[spoiler: '''Lightning:''' Know this, Bhunivelze: it wasn't just me who destroyed you. You've been defeated by a power that you never understood. A power that you cannot see. It comes from the bonds of love that unite us. Together... [[WeDoTheImpossible We change the world]].]]

** [[spoiler:Depending on when you do this, the play can be an early hint about what Lightning's hidden agenda is. She basically announces her intention to utterly END Bhunivelze if he screws her over, just like she blew up that statue. Better yet, if you wander around Yusnaan afterwards, some NPCs may remark that the whole "savior defeating God" thing is entirely new to the pageant, and they LOVE it!]]

** Also, Lightning's final attack on the FinalBoss: Last Resort, Hope's LimitBreak [[note]]The English version did not have her say Last Resort, though[[/note]] and her words, too.

*** Funnily enough, Lightning actually DID use the term "last resort" when sharing with Lumina her intention to save Hope if the need calls for it.

* [[spoiler: As Lightning and Hope try and hold back Bhunivelze with the help of their Eidolons, they initially seem overwhelmed by his attacks as they keep getting through and destroy what is assumed to be old world and the Ark. Right as Lightning says she'll never give, [[BigDamnHeroes Snow shows up with the Shiva sisters to correct her, saying "''We'll'' never give up!". He is followed swiftly by Noel and Brynhildr, Vanille and Hecatoncheir and Fang and Bahamut]]. After sending the Eidolons to stun Bhunivelze quickly, Sazh and Dajh show up along with Serah and Mog. As Bhunivelze advances for the final time, Lightning combines their power and the souls of humanity to strike the god down, but not before giving one final speech.]]

* Just as Lightning and Fang convince Vanille of her other option regarding all the souls, the fanatical high priestess takes matters into her own hands, nearly completing the Soulsong and taking Vanille's life. Then the roof begins shaking, Lightning and Fang share a look and [[FoeTossingCharge charge right through the last defenders]]... [[spoiler:and Snow ''[[BigDamnHeroes crashes through the ceiling.]]'' Fang throws her spear into the air with 'Destroy it!', he catches it, [[HesBack and destroys the Holy Clavis with all his might]] (even vaporizing the high priestess in the process).]]

** Also, Lightning's final attack on Bhunivelze: Last Resort, Hope's LimitBreak [[note]]The English version did not have her say Last Resort, though[[/note]] and her words, too.

* As Lightning and Fang are trying to stop the Soulsong, the roof of the chamber shakes and seems like it will fall apart any second. Seems like it's just the approaching Chaos, until Fang realizes she's not getting past the guards in time and throws her lance into the air. [[spoiler: That's when [[BigDamnHeroes Snow crashes through the ceiling]], catches the lance, [[HesBack and destroys the Holy Clavis with it]]]].
-->[[spoiler:'''Snow:''' Am I late?]]

** And slightly later, Snow ''effortlessly'' freezes a falling chandelier, [[OffhandBackhand while barely looking in it's direction.]] And for bonus points, the resulting display looks a lot like the [[CallBack previously-crystallized Cocoon]].

* [[spoiler: As Lightning and Hope try and hold back Bhunivelze with the help of their Eidolon's, they initially seem overwhelmed by his attacks as they keep getting through and destroy what is assumed to be old world and the Ark. Right as Lightning says she'll never give, [[BigDamnHeroes Snow shows up with the Shiva sisters to correct her, saying "''We'll'' never give up!". He is followed swiftly by Noel and Brynhildr, Vanille and Hecatoncheir and Fang and Bahamut]]. After sending the Eidolons to stun Bhunivelze quickly, Sazh and Dajh show up along with Serah and Mog. As Bhunivelze advances for the final time, Lightning combines their power and the souls of humanity to strike the god down, but not before giving one final speech.]]

* The opening cinematic is fantastic, with both Lightning and Snow kicking some serious Anubys ass, and Snow even freezing one of their massive axes into a weapon twice the size. Then they turn on each other, leaping all over the place and trashing the room to remind you that this is indeed Final Fantasy.
* It's been unclear to what extent Noel is allied with the Children of Etro and their murders. [[spoiler: Answer: He's pissed. After railing off at them for spilling innocent blood, he and Lightning [[EnemyMine team up]] to kick their asses without breaking a sweat.]]
* Possibly one for the Angel of Valhalla. When you first see it, it's lying nearly dead beside a Chocobo Eater...which only has around 10% of its total health. Given the struggle it can give you later in the game, the fact that the Angel presumably did so much damage is pretty awesome.

** Lightning also has new quotes that were clearly made ''just'' for this battle. "This will be your grave!"

* The entire Savior play in Yusnaan. Yes, getting [[FetchQuest all those fireworks]] and the [[PimpedOutDress Midnight Mauve]] did take quite a bit of work, but it was definitely worth it in the end. She is [[SheCleansUpNicely absolutely beautiful in the dress]], and proves to be quite a natural in the role. Plus the play itself is quite the {{Spectacle}} to behold and ends in [[StuffBlowingUp a big bang.]]

* As Lightning and Fang are trying to stop the Soulsong, the roof of the chamber shakes and seems like it will fall apart any second. Seems like it's just the approaching Chaos, until Fang realizes she's not getting past the guards in time and throws her lance into the air. [[spoiler: That's when [[BigDamnHeroes Snow crashes through the ceiling]], catches the lance, [[HesBack and destroys the Holy Clavis with it.]]]]

* [[spoiler: As Lightning and Hope try and hold back Bhunivelze with the help of their Eidolon's, they initially seem overwhelmed by his attacks as they keep getting through and destroy what is assumed to be old world and the Ark. Right as Lightning says she'll never give, [[BigDamnHeroes Snow shows up with the Shiva sisters to correct her, saying "''We'll'' never give up!". He is followed swiftly by Noel and Brynhilder, Vanille and Hecatoncheir and Fang and Bahamut.]] After sending the Eidolons to stun Bhunivelze quickly, Sazh and Dajh show up along with Serah and Mog. As Bhunivelze advances for the final time, Lightning combines their power and the souls of humanity to strike the god down, but not before giving one final speech.]]

* When Lightning is asked if she really thinks she can [[KillTheGod destroy God]], her response is a simple, heartfelt and utterly terrifying 'I wouldn't bet against me.'

** Using Army of One against Bhunivelze. '''"YOU WILL''' '''''DIE''''', '''BHUNIVELZE!"'''

* The entire Savior play in Yusnaan. Yes, getting [[TwentyBearAsses all those fireworks]] and the [[PimpedOutDress Midnight Mauve]] did take quite a bit of work, but it was definitely worth it in the end. She is [[SheCleansUpNicely absolutely beautiful in the dress]], and proves to be quite a natural in the role. Plus the play itself is quite the {{Spectacle}} to behold and ends in [[StuffBlowingUp a big bang.]]

* The entire final battle itself. ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' has always been known for its incredibly epic final boss fights, but this one truly takes the cake. [[spoiler: Rather than fighting to bring down a tyrant or save the world from destruction, the world has ''already been destroyed'': now all the souls of humanity (and by extension, the very concept of human existence) are on the line, being held hostage at the whims of the god of the universe, and unlike any other ''Final Fantasy'' game, [[OneManArmy only Lightning]] stands in his way. He also has [[FourIsDeath four forms]] (an extremely rare occurrence in [=RPGs=], full stop), and each one becomes stronger than the last which means this is [[AvertedTrope not a case]] of a ClippedWingAngel battle.]] Oh, and did we mention the AwesomeMusic and the VisualEffectsOfAwesome too?

* When Lightning is asked if she really thinks she can destroy God, her response is a simple, heartfelt and utterly terrifying 'I wouldn't be against me.'

* When Lightning is asked if she really thinks she can destroy God, her response is a simple, heartfelt and utterly terrifying 'I wouldn't be against me.'
-->[[spoiler:'''Snow:''' Am I late?]]

* The entire final battle itself. ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' has always been known for its incredibly epic final boss fights, but this one truly takes the cake. [[spoiler: Rather than fighting to bring down a tyrant or save the world from destruction, the world has ''already been destroyed'': now all the souls of humanity (and by extension, the very concept of human existence) are on the line, being held hostage at the whims of the god of the universe, and unlike any other ''Final Fantasy'' game, [[OneManArmy only Lightning]] stands in his way. He also has [[FourIsDeath four forms]] (an extremely rare occurrence in [=RPGs=], full stop), and each one becomes stronger than the last which means this is [[AvertedTrope not a case]] of a ClippedWingAngel battle.]] Oh, and did we mention the AwesomeMusic and the VisualEffectsOfAwesome too?

* The entire final battle itself. ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' has always been known for its incredibly epic final boss fights, but this one truly takes the cake. [[spoiler: The world has already been destroyed: the entirety of human existence is on the line, being held hostage at the whims of the god of the universe, and unlike any other ''Final Fantasy'' game, only Lightning stands in his way. He also has [[FourIsDeath four forms]] (an extremely rare occurrence in [=RPGs=], full stop), and each one becomes stronger than the last which means this is [[AvertedTrope not a case]] of a ClippedWingAngel battle.]] Oh, and did we mention the AwesomeMusic and the VisualEffectsOfAwesome too?